It's the trend in lending practices driving the down payment on beach condos which are the best choice for short-term rentals. 

Haven't changed law firms but most likely will eventually end up with a real estate law practice someday.

@Tony MiHi Tony,In Texas "Lingo" (with that strategy) you might have to drill a lot of dry holes before you find a gusher.If that's the business plan you intend to rely on, great, but it might also be beneficial to learn some of the standard ways and business practices of how to make money in this too.That way your "Switchblade" can become a "Swiss Army Knife"Good Luck!

What would be a good price to pay for a consultation, and what shady business practices should I watch out for?

Here is how you practice.  

Get someone to be the seller on the other end of the phone, and practice going through your own script until you feel comfortable.

If nothing else it will give me practice in presenting & selling deals and my skills.

I run my tax law and accounting practice under Act 20/22. 

The practice is illegal here.

In practice it was a bit of a nightmare b/c Wells charges a monthly service fee which can be side stepped if you transfer $100 back and forth between the associated savings and checking each month Wells set up the accounts and messed up the auto transfer ... money wasn't transferring and they were debiting monthly fees, etc.