There are lots of requirements in the business world that aren't immediately disclosed, because it is either such common practice that it's not worth mentioning, or it is considered to be not terribly significant in the early stages of the conversation. 

The conversation was a really good reminder about what you should and shouldn’t do in order to rent to a friend and not lose the friendship.

Here are some recommendations for you:Find and connect with other BP members that are in your area: http://www.biggerpockets.com/meetSet up keyword alerts to be notified of the topics that interest you: http://www.biggerpockets.com/alertsRead Beginner’s Guide: http://www.biggerpockets.com/real-estate-investingCheck out BP Podcasts: http://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/category/podcast/If you wish to tag someone in the conversation on the forum, type @ followed by their name and then select the name of that person which should appear below the comments box.

Sure you can do direct mail with an agent...I would just have an open conversation with him/her and discuss the compensation. 

Here are some recommendations for you:Find and connect with other BP members that are in your area: http://www.biggerpockets.com/meetSet up keyword alerts to be notified of the topics that interest you: http://www.biggerpockets.com/alertsRead Beginner’s Guide: http://www.biggerpockets.com/real-estate-investingCheck out BP Podcasts: http://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/category/podcast/If you wish to tag someone in the conversation on the forum, type @ followed by their name and then select the name of that person which should appear below the comments box.

I have listed some helpful recommendations for you:Find and connect with other BP members that are in your area:http://www.biggerpockets.com/meetSet up keyword alerts to be notified of the topics that interest you:http://www.biggerpockets.com/alertsRead Beginner’s Guide:http://www.biggerpockets.com/real-estate-investingIf you wish to tag someone in the conversation on the forum, type @ followed by their name and then select the name of that person.Welcome aboard!!!

If you PM me I'd be happy to have a phone conversation about my process.

Your eagerness to answer people's questions is admirable, but I think if you watch some of the conversations as they unfold, you'll learn a lot more of the technical aspects of accounting and taxation by reading and absorbing the answers from others.Most of the CPAs here have key word alerts and they will chime in on 99% of the tax related questions.  

I haven't exactly figured out the secret sauce to optimizing direct mail conversions so I tinker around with my formatting, value proposition, level of polish, etc.I was thinking of putting a link to a video introduction on my next direct mail piece.  

That is the listing agents responsibility to make sure the house appraises, but if I am on the buy side I will have a conversation with the listing agent to make sure they have experience working with appraisers.