Great conversation and I'd like to contribute to Gary's original question. 

My #1 tip for you: Set up some "keyword alerts" for the word "Seattle" and "Kirkland" so you'll be notified when conversations in the forums are taking place about your local area.

Cash available for continued changes, cost of conversion, and likely hood of securing renters quickly in that area. 

My tenants are aware that I do real estate through conversation and frankly it has benefited me as they have given me referals, and insights into properties in the neighborhoods I already own that may be going up for sale. 

I would have a very blunt conversation with them and ask about their processes. 

If your argument is that you don't feel like subjecting yourself to overbearing licensure fees, general fees, more fees, etc from a governing body just to obtain a 'license', that's a different conversation...though I doubt you will find much sympathy in that regard either.Just do it, what do you have to lose?

Well that stopped the to conversation cold.

Might want to have a conversation about how windows that crack due to stress crack both panes of glass (inner and outer)...windows that are broken from impact from something break on the inside of the house and only break the inner pane... now is there something you'd like to tell me (remain quiet as long as it takes)...

Based on our conversation w/ the agency, they will handle all marketing costs and background checks.  

The CBRE Group Inc. real estate brokerage says that conversion projects have pulled 2.3 million square feet out of the market, cutting vacant downtown office space by 3.7 percent between 2007 and the third quarter of last year."..."