AB 2622 allows unlicensed professionals to handle jobs under $1,000, such as repairing gates, patching drywall, or fixing leaky faucets—saving you money without sacrificing quality.2.

The most common is leaning on your agent for their expert advice.

What would be the best ways to familiarize myself with construction process, while still maintaining my W-2 job? 

You don't say what you do but consider finding a career path job that might give you better income if that is an issue. 

My job is explaining the rules.

I’d say focus on getting new job and tending to your new family.

Some places do this annually, some places do a portion of the town every year giving them a total cycle of about every 4 years, and in my area it’s common to do a whole town reevaluation every 4-5 years.

It's expected and common for MTRs to have utilities included.

Bit of a wild situation here, at least to me and my lender; maybe it is more common than we think, not sure honestly.

So, the common person may ask - well how is me funding the rehab myself any more risky for the lender/why would they want to limit leverage?