I'd like to begin making offers asap, but want to ensure I have the right documents to secure a contract.

You definitely want to check with planning and zoning to ensure a garage apartment would be allowed and what their requirements may be.

But getting micromanaged and not trusting me and derailing the systems I've got in place to maximize efficiency and get the most out of my bid is not ideal for me.

Whenever you are buying a property out of state you should do a few things to ensure it's as smooth as possible.Don't buy in the roughest neighborhood in the urban core.

With the allowable rent increases due to the rent control, do you see (or have you seen) a trend developing where rather than allowing the market/individual landlord to determine rent increase rates, landlord's will automatically go for the maximum (7% you stated) to ensure they're capturing as much growth as possible, basically creating a 'market' that increases by 7% no matter what? 

@Aaron PetersIt's more that you find a CPA that specializes in real estate taxation to ensure that your tax return is prepared accurately and that you get every deduction you're entitled to.

You will have someone to ensure the contractor is holding up to the agreed upon statement of work.

One thing that should be common for all realtors is to look for networking opportunities within your company because that’s really the best and most efficient way to make connections when you’re first getting started.I think eXp realty provides an incredible opportunity for new agents to network.

And it is important to get initials at certain spots in the lease document to ensure they read that section.   

Between ADHD and the memory of a goldfish, organization to me is critical to efficiency and success.