Main thing here is your credit utilization rate: if you want to refi down the road, it is best to keep credit utilization as low as possible to keep your credit score up.

you will have to put some time in. also, not your main question, but: wholesaling is spectacularly difficult. 

But I am mainly looking to acquire real estate.

My main questions:Should I hire a general contractor to manage the entire renovation, or would it be better to hire specialized contractors for each part of the project (flooring, paint, HVAC, etc.)?

I have colleagues that have gotten caught up in those mainly promises of large loans you know 10 to 100 mil.. its coming next week just need the Sultan of Burnai to sign off that kind of BS..

Mainly investors/landlords or home owners?  

The main thing with a non-local lender is they might not fully understand the specific market dynamics of your area, which can sometimes affect appraisals or timelines.However, they might be able to provide lower rates or better terms than local lenders so it is worth looking into.

The main thing is, taking the training will educate you in the foundational aspects of real estate which only helps you.

In your case, you might have to finish the main units before applying for the ADU. 

This is mainly due to the large amount of inventory and still high prices (though they are trending downwards).