One example I saw involved a broker talking about bids - and the lowest amount her client would accept - openly in the office.

I'm thinking that I'd like the following per unit:Ductless mini splits WITH heat pump3 zones (living, bed 1, bed 2)I could use some help in the process:Does this seem like a reasonable method of heating and cooling the units? 

I find myself stuck with not knowing where direction/area/method to take ....so I’m keen to join some meet-ups in SF/East Bay and learn from those way ahead of the game!

The snag with the bird dog fee arrangement may be that seller may walk away from the deal if one of the newbies isn't involved because he the seller is his great uncle. 

There is a solution 99.9% of the time that does not involve paying a bad tenant.

The IRS allows "any reasonable method" - county allocation certainly being one of them, if not the most common one. 

Your tenants can work it out among themselves.Do not get involved, have the tenant in the 1/1 pay the tenant in the 4/1. 

In Maryland you do real estate transactions at a title company but an attorney needs to be involved.

What you are outlining is that the information will be provided when in contract and the lawyers are involved. 

I would get an attorney involved to give an opinion on ownership as well as a tax attorney and see their thoughts about defending an audit.