Miami-yes; city forgave over $200k once buyers owned the property & cured the violation. was actually a pretty simple process.

I have a couple friends who invest in real estate who highly recommend a West Van company that integrates the legal and accounting stuff to make it simple.

I wonder if there’s a minimum size for that law or if small time operators get a pass?

You're pretty much acting as tenant and property manager so need to show why they should allow you to operate a mini business from their home.

I know that these aren’t simple questions.

Please click on the links, give them a read, and share your thoughts in the comments.First is a post that I feel will help not get overwhelmed with the amount of info that is here on BP:https://www.biggerpockets.com/blogs/5868/52761-the-simple-guide-to-getting-started-on-bp The second is a post that will help get you focused with your real estate investing goals:https://www.biggerpockets.com/blogs/5868/52743-im-new-to-bp-any-advice-would-be-appriciatedThe last one is a post that will help you choose an “investor friendly” real estate agent.

Since then he has mostly bought apartment complexes and has never lost any money and talks down about owning less than 32 units which usually allows you the chance of hiring an experienced Property Management Company to handle the daily operation that includes the screening and maintenance and you just manage the managers and get regular (once a week) financial statements and you still have positive cash flow.

It is a very serious mistake to allow personal feelings to dictate your business practices however in your present situation you are clearly preferring to operating as a hobby investor.

You will have to dig deeper if you're the operator. 

Please click on the links, give them a read, and share your thoughts in the comments.First is a post that I feel will help not get overwhelmed with the amount of info that is here on BP:https://www.biggerpockets.com/blogs/5868/52761-the-simple-guide-to-getting-started-on-bp The second is a post that will help get you focused with your real estate investing goals:https://www.biggerpockets.com/blogs/5868/52743-im-new-to-bp-any-advice-would-be-appriciatedThe last one is a post that will help you choose an “investor friendly” real estate agent.