They seem insane compared to how easily the 3 properties came to us.

Difference is only $2k compared to conventional agents (6%).

I am sure you spent much much more time looking at it compared to the 5 minute analysis I just gave it.

Oaklyn and Audobon are great towns...but I don't know that they'll ever be able to compare to Haddonfield, Haddon Township, and Collingswood without some major structural changes to the layout of the town. 

Property 1: 6 unit building (4 residential units upstairs and two commercial storefronts on ground level, all contained within one building)B.

Do I have any grounds to complain to the City Planning Department to being told to get a permit, have a licensed contractor test it and have it inspected?

I went through this process when I decided where to retire.At a high level, I used financial media, Wikipedia, and local news (many TV stations stream their local news broadcasts) to select a state and city.At the neighborhood level, I used CrimeReports to get a feel for crime and real estate listings to get a feel for the type of housing in the zip code.Then it's boots on the ground to home in on a specific choice.

Maybe you can compare with mine.

Ideally, I'd like a few names so I can meet with them to compare rates/personality/etc.

You say that the cash refi would run you about 5.375% and although the rate is "higher" compared to what we've seen the last few years, it's still relatively low.