A Veteran can check their Certificate of Eligibility to determine if they are exempt. 

What about moving into the rental for a period of time (making it your primary residence) and then selling to take capital gains exemption for your primary residence?

Paul,If you weren't aware, you can get exempt from rent control in Oakland by owner-occupying a duplex or triplex for 2 years.

And whether or not it's something to consider seeing as how I'm already taking advantage of exemption benefits from military.

I file my taxes every year under the tax exemption, do i need to prepare any documents ? 

I'm not currently aware if the exemption period has expired or not, and I'm not sure that the seller would know either.  

. $5,500/yr for IRA)- Ability to access up to $50K of your retirement funds tax and penalties free prior retirement via participant loan feature- Greater protection from creditors- No need for a custodian + checkbook control- Exempt from UBIT on leveraged real estate - Tax-free investing with built-in Roth component - and more!

I have called quite a few and settled on one, The Marston Group, but they don't work with family real estate investors, specifically with military exemptions enough to truly understand our needs.Does anyone have a great recommendation?

Murphy exemption to Fair Housing rules.

Only investment property.For personal property, there is a capital gains exemption $250,000 for single people $500,000 for married couples."