Is it unreasonable to ask a plumber to give us a 'consult' for a few hundred dollars to help guide us through making our own plans, pulling our own permit, and doing our own work? 

@Charles A. before you bought in Cleveland, DID you consult someone in the Market? 

First gig out of college was a rental property consultant in downtown Chicago.

I would recommend Bob Neumann,  from Texas Funding and Consulting. 

Did you consult a CPA or RE attorney with your first deal?

If that's the case, I'm not sure you want to be involved with that either.If they were running a consulting business or something not requiring people to come to the property, I'd be totally OK with that (that's like working from home), but you will have children coming, the health department for food, and a lot of other people you may not want monitoring your property.

Two positives should you need to go that route, and at times you may.In other states, such as neighboring Kansas, an Attorney I consulted advised that I would be required be licensed to purchase a mortgage in that state.

This is a conversation we have with OOS investors of your like during our initial consultations and property scouting and acquisition.   

"I have to do some research and consult with my wife") and never give numbers, even ballparks, unless you are certain that is what you are willing to pay.  

I am thinking that we should hire a consultant regardless if it is a Streamlined 203 or not just because we will not be able to be present for inspections and whatnot.