I’m looking at a duplex that was illegally converted (proper permits weren’t pulled/zoning is still single family residential).

If you were driving your car to an intersection, with your children in the back seat, and the the light is about to turn red, would you floor it without knowing where/if any cars were coming through that intersection from the sides, just because you "wanted to get into (through) that intersection"?

I recently had to go through a 9 month zoning variance on a flip and if we had hard money it would have eaten into all our profits.

Additionally, there's limitations in building code that do not allow builders to build on lots that once permitted muti unit zones, that's why you'll find a lot of older non conforming multi-families in the Greater Boston region. 

I am starting to put together the narrative that will be presented to the planning and zoning commission.

The interest rates for banks are lower however, the red tape makes the process longer and is many cases jeopardies the deal at any time prior to closing.

They should also have some experience with the city inspectors, so they can tell you what you might get red tagged for.

Originally posted by @Brian Fitzgerald:Hello Yutaka,What areas are you interested in investing in and I can try to assist you with other investor friendly agents and organizations.I’m looking in San Francisco for vacant or red tagged homes in the area, I live in sunset area and was looking here, Richmond district, outter sunset, maybe Daly City.

They’re quick with new listings when you sign up for emails, and they show flood zone info, which I appreciate when looking for a beach property. 

It has 18 Acres of residential / commercially zoned land, about 1/4 mile from lake winnipesaukee, in New Hampshire.