Especially on your first house.If you're buying commercial assets and/or seeking commercial financing (which is a higher risk, higher cost PITA), then do the LLC.Verify with legal/tax professionals of course @Kevin Dureiko

California is one of the most difficult states because of all the regulation so you don't want to take on that responsibility as an amateur.

Contact lead and asbestos professionals in your area.

Private money lenders are usually not professional lenders and they don’t usually have their own lending documents.

Can anyone recommend a professional (I'm assuming a CPA vs attorney, but would like guidance) to help with this process?  

So the current stove has an electrical outlet behind, so does that mean he would need a professional to install a gas line by the stove?

Spread the word among professionals such as social workers, physical therapists, occupational therapists and speech therapists.Kudos for thinking about those who are presently under-served by the hospitality industry! 

As a professional RE networking site we should be able to use full names and proper pics and many on here do.

@Kurt Stein When you have a professional inspector review the property, you can see how well the unpermitted work was done.

@Bruce GerryBesides personal references I would ask for professional work references.