Having a presence, especially your first time out lessens the odds of craziness happening under your watch.  

Didn't imagine this topic would go this far, but would love to hear more opinions, even from @Serge S. since Ben made the intro.My situation is actually odd.  

It would be odd to have a living room separate from the house.

Odd, but believable.  

some coop are restrictive and the policy can change anytime.  

“I especially love movies about leaders stepping forward and overcoming huge odds and obstacles to achieve success!

Depending on restrictions, not sure you can do anything now.

Something seemed odd, so I checked the tax records - which didn't match up.

I don't know where you are getting your comps but you might revisit them.The only good news here is that, though the best time to sell a house is always in the spring, southern California's fair weather climate doesn't really restrict sales any time during the year.

I guess in your neck of the woods they simply give real estate away, agents waive their fees, surveyors, contractors etc donate their time out of goodwill, and lawyers perform their duties pro bono on the odd occasion people (obviously not a genius like you) need their services?