Is there somewhere on the web, or maybe even this forum, where people in certain regions can share good/bad experiences with certain contractors?

Wow, I must scour a hundred web sites a day it seems.  

So, here is the run down: First, I did pay to be a member of the "Multi-family investor Academy" as a online student and attended 2 conference calls and went into the web site and downloaded materials and read as much information that I had time to.

You can download a PDF copy at https://www.naca.com/Scripts/pdfviewer/web/viewer....

I wanted to post artcles and resources here for the layman regarding legal issues, and no I am not an attorney.Here is one to start, a web book on contracts.http://chestofbooks.com/business/law/Law-Of-Contracts-4-1/index.html#.UVHq6xzvsrUAnd a laymen language http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contract_lawIf you have alot of time on your hands, at least have these two as references.Any other BP members have re contract links?

You will need the current assessed value (typically from the county or city web site) and an understanding of how the assessed value will change (e.g. just based on sale price, comparables, etc.).If the new assessed value increases, cash flow decreases and obviously the reverse is also true.Since property taxes are a major portion of the expenses, making sure you know not just what they ARE but what they WILL BE is important.Oren

-have a mobile application that is actually simple and easy to use, not overwhelming.Their iPhone app is very lacking, but they do have mobile web support which works splendidly on a tablet.Hopefully this information helps you somewhat.

Additionally, my thinking relative to this particular set of duplexes is that they are all clustered together in the same cul-da-sac, which functions more like an apartment complex, yet you have the flexibility at some point to sell them individually, a few at a time, or as a package deal.  

Based on my reading of the Sonoma County webpage regarding short term rentals, a vacation rental permit seems much more obtainable than in Napa County if the following conditions are met:- Has to be zoned as AR, RR, R1, LC, LEA, DA, or RRD- Have less than 5 guest rooms- Need to pay the Vacation Rental Zoning Permit Fee ($849.00)- A Certified Property Manager is required- And you have to fill out a bunch of formsAs far as I can tell, there isn't a limit on then number of permits that can be issued by the county.

I can look up the addresses, but I don't want my personal info out on the web.