I am always looking to learn from successful STR operators such as yourself. 

Btw, I learned about this from a book about the career of Harold Helmsley (pre Leona!)

From what I've learned it seems that a HELOC is probably the easiest way to gain funding but at the same time it comes with risks if the flip isn't successful. 

Skip the class and go straight to learning on the job.

It's an hour and 35 minutes and the host's first language is not English - he's Hawaiian.

But then learned he's not licensed and insured.

It is purely clickbait.Find yourself a market that you are interested in, learn as much as you can about that market, and find your deal. 

To help newer investors get started and learn from other likeminded professionals. 

This is one of the things that sound a lot easier than they are actually done.The crazy thing I learned about these CA fires is that the heat radiation is hot enough (1500-2000F) that it will ignite your furniture through the windows.

10) Knowing what to do if tenant is late on rent or doesn't pay.There's a lot more, but many here on BP self-manage and learn via "trial by fire".Of course, you can always hire a Property Management Company to handle it for you.