@Mike Jury  Thanks-I'm asking if anyone here has experienced a similar situation, not so much asking what I should do.

Bulls make money, and bears make money, but pig only get slaughtered"Old stock trader expression. 

Looking for experienced agent, who is very well familiar with the different areas in the city.

You would be experiencing the same struggles whether you were stationed in Hawaii or here.

But to say I am not cut out for "house-hacking" because I am seeking input from experienced landlords seems a bit crass. 

Based on the ocean temps I have been experiencing these past two seasons this is going to be a real big one.

@Scott TrenchI am also experiencing the same widget on my "home" page as @Troy Fisher described above telling me my profile is 88% complete - no "occupation" specified.  

There are a few investor groups that meet every month here in North Jersey that are great for networking with experienced guys. 

How would an experienced investor structure an owner finance deal here? 

I'm looking for some guidance from some of the more experienced California flip investors in luxury homes to see if they might use a matrix or formula to plug in a set of  rehab estimation numbers for a luxury rehab as they are initially looking into the potential of a project being an acquisition candidate before they actually walk the property.I can typically create an estimated improvement budget for almost any commercial property in both office and industrial for proforma purposes before visiting the property, but residential is a new animal for me.