Look for consistency and well kept homes.In Silicon Valley, HOA documents are almost always part of the disclosure packet.

Have that documentation when you approach another inspector if they say the same. 

Not sure about the documentation side of this but 100% change the locks to all of the doors he has keys to.

If you need any contracts or documents simply take a look in the file place under the "tools" tab.  

What we do is document all of those activities in our pipe drive system so it notifies us with reminders to follow up.

Never done that before and was wondering what anyone would recommend in terms of how much is a far rate to pay them if their money is tied up 3-4 months and what type of documentation I mighty should use?

As always document.

Read all those documents, then you can call the Planning Staff and schedule a meeting to discuss what you're interested in doing.

The COE Settlement document is all he is entitled to.

He's open to it, but warned that it almost guarantees an audit and requires added 'precision' on our part -- which could mean IRS headaches if we ACCIDENTALLY/UNKNOWINGLY did something out of bounds or didn't document something correctly, etc.My conclusion is if you're doing 'simple' SFHs, and/or you're not an LLC, or anything 'special' a CPA who specializes in Taxes and REI work would do the job, an EA who's good with REI would likely be better; but, if you want to do anything unique/creative, or outside the box or also wish to then have the business succession planning or have kids and want to have the business continue should anything happen to you...and all that added planning, maybe a tax lawyer would be best, or a Tax Layer who works closely with the CPA/EA...make sense?