Nick has the best Data with easy to understand graphs and charts for each City, Area of the big Cities, County, State and whole Country with ReventureApp.com and its free unless you want a personal conversation. 

I don't know any personally but the Bay Area is such a huge market I'm sure you can find someone.

Anyway, shadow that person as much and as often as you can so that you can learn the ins-and-outs on how to be successful.

My best lender when I was active was a private person. 

Personally If these rules keep investors out or financial trouble, I think they are very worthwhile.

I am sending mailers, but would rather not list my personal residence or use a PO box.

Personally I think it depends on the type of investing opportunities you're looking for and where or why we are seeing an increase in market activity.

Montgomery and Anne Arundel refer to them in code as ADU.

I’m a broker/owner of both a general brokerage firm and property management firm.My advice is to find an agent that is thoroughly invested in you, as a client and as a person, and understands your goals.

"Staying' in the home or 'moving in'You can't 1031 into a personal residence.