Case in point there is a duplex being converted to condos next door to me here in Cbus that has been in the works since we moved in during the fall of 2020. 

Don't know if that's the case in WA, but could help you in your endeavor.

But, it's a good thing I am a "nerd", because my interest in machines and buttons, and what makes things tick saved me thousands of dollars in the long run)This business is a business of people management, evictions, damages, court scenes, proving you are right in court, and having the proof and evidence to back up what you say.With that in mind, and me being my own attorney in court, I found the following useful "Technology" that enabled me to never lose a case in my 13 years as a landlord.The following is what Technology did for me, that helped me in all phases of this business.QuickBooks:  Kept track of all my tenantsKept track of all RepairsWhat tenants owedHow much each tenant paid in Security DepositsWhen I purchased a rentalHow much it costHow many square feetWhen I sold itFor how muchProfit and Loss Report to see where I stood financiallyHow much money I owed to my VendorsAnd everything I wanted to know about my tenantsNextI had Vonage Phone (An internet phone) that did the followingActed as an Answering ServiceKept track of the date and time the call came inCould view the call in audio and in written form on my computerCould print out the message and take it to court with meKept track of the date and time I called someone Allowing me to print this out as well if I needed it for courtNextStamps.comThis kept track of every piece of mail I mailed outThe day and timeThe person I sent it tooAllowed me to print out a report if I had to take it to court for evidence; And it served as a proof of sendingNextPrinterComputer/laptop (in my case if it had keys or a laser pen, I had it. 

I think that would be the case in any market though, not specific to CLE. 

When I bought my first property, I was prepared for the worst case.  In

Everyone seems to look for the easiest way to do things, which usually ends up being a no-win situation when it comes to proving your case in a court of law.  

Of course, you're free to argue your case in front of a jury if you want to take your chances.In a lot of ways, Massachusetts isn't a fun place to do business.  

The concept of fix n flip is seldom the case in multifamily.

<g>Oh;  let me ask you this:  how about if I slide a wine-cellar case in there?  

If not, then by asking questions the right way maybe you can get the neighbors to realize that they are perceiving a problem where there is none.As for not knowing your neighbors, that is the case in most parts of America,  particularly multifamily buildings.