Hi Shawn-Congratulations on starting out on your real estate investing career.You have a question about whether it is good to have your real estate license or not as an investor and you are leaning toward multifamily investing.I personally think having your real estate license is helpful as an investor.Having your real estate license allows you to work with other investors to help them build their portfolios which helps expand your network while being productive, you can research market value more effectively, find out about deals before they are listed, and of course it allows you to collect the commission on purchasing any listed property.To Your Success!

Georgia, a state not mentioned, offers a 20% penalty so if the encumbered deed is redeemed after 1st month your effective rate of return is 240%!

Yep for one especially in the early stages a hard credit pull would not be useful, just have them do soft checks for the time being and opt out of credit solicitation: www.optoutprescreen.com I could be biased... that said typically working with one lender than can help regardless of where you're looking and having a relationship with that will provide the easiest and most cost effective route long term. 

It's the ultimate "investor" property as it's designed for investors unlike some other condo or house in Carlsbad that you won't be able to visit because it will be on a 1-2 year lease and will only net you equity via appreciation, not cash.

Also, check to see if your jurisdiction is practicing "Just Cause Eviction", which went into effect statewide earlier this year for municipalities that which to opt in. 

My mentor helped ALOT with advice, helping me stage she used to be a fashion designer in NYC (where I'm originally from) and is now both an Airbnb arbitrage investor and a real estate agent where she personally stages all her properties that she sells or Airbnbs.

@Sam Alpha  I think this thread is effectively over. 

I’ve also been in touch with a design team, and they’re quoting a fee of 10% of the total construction cost.

I also renovated houses and own an interior design and renovation business. 

BiggerPockets is full of resources designed to help you along your journey, whether you are just getting started or a seasoned investor.