From there, you can research through zillow/redfin whatever but your best bet would be to find an investor/agent (I a one but based in Fort Lauderdale) who can guide you through the process.

Their customer service department is very responsive.When selling a service as taking care of everything and handling the complete process, this includes all forms, liabilities and considerations for that particular need.

I have been learning how the process works and there are a lot of resources for how to interview a sponsor and review the deal, but how do you initially access the deals to review?

With regard to renovations, I always suggest taking incremental steps to bigger renovations or partnering with someone who has already done a renovation at that level.I've been known to just go for the big rehabs for my personal investments here in Chicago , and during that process, it's always more stressful than it needs to be...As far as navigating the competition, I've found the best thing I can do is get EXTREMELY CLEAR  on what I am looking for; then I am confident pulling the trigger quicky. 

Any investor or developer buy raw land lot (zoning code G) and go through the process with the city to convert to commercial use?

Once they get used to it they will never want to write a check again.  

A trustworthy agent should make the process clear and help you see the properties you're interested in without unnecessary obstacles.

Buyer's agency agreements were already required here before, our regulatory agency just went from strongly recommending them be signed right away but not really requiring them until writing a contract to 100% requiring them to be signed prior to showings.

Possibly already permitted outbuildings that already have plumbing such as workshops, offices, etc might be able to be converted to an ADU at a cost that does not result in the cost being more than the value added.Building an ADU is a lot of work and can be a slow process.  

I am in the process of refinancing.