Last tip, don't strictly base your decision on price either.

Also, creating new spaces may requires updates to meet code.

We initially considered multi-family but decided against it due to strict rent control laws in Oakland and the significant premium on multi-families that don't currently have tenants.

Well again, most of these issues would be resolved by working under a seasoned real estate professional that could teach them the ropes and could steer them along the straight and narrow.My recommendation is for you to go ahead and get your license for the basic knowledge and the credentials to legally do your business, then find an investor that is buying for themselves and succeeding in this business and volunteer your services for strictly for the education.For more of this soapbox speech and practical tips on how you can actually find that person, here is another link!!

I am looking to network with Wholesalers, Real Estate agents, homebuilders, contractors, real estate attorneys, title companies, local lenders, and folks knowledgeable in building code and zoning.

I have had some of the siding of my rental house blown off in the recent winds I need some one to give me a price to put about 11 siding boards back on the house and paint them to match the existing paint as best they can this is in the 38128 zip code 

Make sure the code violations are taken care of as the fines can quickly rack up.

What method would be best for noise and most typical for fire code?  

I thought I remember hearing that reduced rent and paying with cash get treated in different ways by tax code.

Also check with city/code to see what kinda fines or fees are on it.