I'm not picking my inspector off of YELP, where all the reviewers used a guy one time, and really have NO clue if it was a softball inspection or the toughest one ever.   

Arranging financing, forecasting cash flow (it's not "rent minus the mortgage"), managing contractors, managing tenants, managing property managers, dealing with permits and city inspectors - it's a lot more than the average person realizes.

Often that department head is retired/semi-retired and knows the trade, the locals, the inspectors, and who's who in your area. 

Then sometimes the inspector comes during hour 1 of the 4-hour window but then sometimes the inspector doesn't show up to hour 5 and you have no choice to wait. 

We found they'll always find something to nitpick so we have a couple minor fixes in plain view so the inspector doesn't have to "dig deep" for something for us to do.  

To complete my due diligence, I want to get an inspection-does anyone local have a recommendation for a good investment property inspector?

- Its cumbersome and frustrating dealing with some of the programs and their inspectors, but not necessarily hard.

In the end, a majority of inspectors would likely appreciate the fact that you will end up improving the condition and make it safer; especially if you are not trying to use the space as additional utility space or living space; just as long as the Zoning Reviewer doesn't pick your project to become an issue, or just as long as you are not hiding an illegal unit which an inspector notices once on site...One final note;In regards to deconverting your property to a single-family residence in the future; with the Zoning TSL Expansion, many Zoning designations are restricted from deconverting properties away from an existing Multi-Unit condition.

I've realized the scope of work truly begins after owning; my house now it was revealed that my secondary water line was collapsed, but my inspector only scoped the main line, so he missed it.

Perhaps a nice 1950's built bungalow.Always hire a 3rd party property inspector to give you an unbiased feel for the home.