Currently wrapping up courses to take real estate salesperson exam (california) was hoping if anyone could guide me to some things that helped them pass the exam as well as in the business in general? 

I will say I wish you well. 

They have offices in Syosset as well as the Hamptons.Happy to share my direct contact with you. 

I will need the neighbors approval as well if it is going to be a duplex or not.

If you can do it for no or low cost, might as well.

I also have a 401k that my 9-5 does a 5% match on so I do 5% just to get that basically free money as well.

There are some situations where a well-seasoned investor can borrow 100% of the purchase price and come out smelling like a rose, but only because they have the experience and they can absorb the loss if they screw up.Increase earnings.

It is advised that the tenant maintain fire and theft insurance for their personal property as well as liability insurance coverage.

Well if you really want to do it right, you should speak to a local PM or lawyer who has done it before.

Well, there is me and a couple of other guys (he says tongue in cheek) and we're in the 5th largest city in the country. ;-) A fraction of a fraction of a fraction of the people on BP are actually buying.