I've tried fighting these cases, but the City uses the section of the Code requiring all vacant properties to be filed as a registered property as defense.

  #1 for college grads.https://therivardreport.com/census-data-san-antoni...3) Houston - emerging; tail winds of reconstruction spending / oil firming up.  4) Albuquerque - defensive. 

The other strengths of your agent I think should be standard (though they are far from that): communication, experience, good track record, high recent volume, market knowledge, etc.Lastly, no matter where you stand on the comfortability to profitability index, at the end of the day you have to play the field and take what the defense gives you (David Greene mentions this a lot). 

We are planning a little casual meetup for next week before we leave for the conference.

I have found some cheaper alternatives like KBKG and DIYcostseg online that still cost between $400 and $500, not including audit defense.

I have never done it, but have heard him speak at conferences and read his book.

It appears that you are getting defensive when people are merely attempting to explain things that you really need to know.

Ideally you'd need to attend some conference to gain face to face exposure, but I'm not sure if your job allows you to travel.

I'm invited to speak nationally at industry conferences and I've been serving as an expert witness in foreclosure cases for the past decade and a half. 

Get your ticket now at biggerpockets.com/conference.