I live in Oakland, so naturally I look around in my backyard.

Ensure that your approach comes natural to you and you will do fine.  

I have traveled there twice but could not comment intelligently on the true nature of the area.

This will vary depending on the value of the time lost, local laws which may favor tenants and hobble landlords and the occupants obsessive nature, access to information (damn internet) and determination.I've been involved in plenty of cases where the landlord lost perspective and it becomes a battle of wills, personality and tenacity...not money.

The key is the TYPE of real estate and whether you want to be active or passive in nature.

Quite a list of prerequisites: http://mortgage.nationwidelicensingsystem.org/slr/PublishedStateDocuments/GA-Mtg-Lender-License-Description.pdfSome exemptions include:  Federally insured financial institutions and their wholly owned subsidiaries;  W-2 Employees of licensees and registrants (see Code);  Attorneys who provide legal services who are not in the business of negotiating loans;  Any person performing any act relating to mortgage loans under order of any court ;  Nonprofit corporations making mortgage loans to promote home ownership or improvements for the disadvantaged;  Any natural person who makes five or fewer mortgage loans in any one calendar year;  Other… refer to Code Section 7-1-1001.Bob

I would love to put a sliding glass door in, as it lets in more natural light, which would greatly improve the space.Someone suggested French Doors, however, I'm not sure how well that would mesh with the Crafstman style.The city won't let me do anything that contradicts with the style anyway, so I guess I can't shoot myself in the foot too badly.

Then if you need comps or something of that nature you can simply pay them a small fee to pull those for you.Also, if you did intend to pursue a property you found through them it would only be fair to work with them to get it. 

By nature, our equilibrium can pick up on sloped foundations.

It was their nest egg for retirement, so naturally, they wanted to get as much as they could.I took an FHA loan on the property, which required an appraisal to justify the loan amount.