Here is a link that provides fantastic information on the turnkey investing option from BP. 

Being prepared for these hurdles can make all the difference in achieving long-term success.

Contact the zoning department and see if you can get the property rezoned as a duplex.

Hard to understand your post but am assuming you are saying that the individual acting on behalf of the seller was assumed to be an agent but you are finding out they are actually a wholesaler?

If you cash out equity in a property, you are "borrowing" that money from the lender.

My excess cash flow per year is around $300k in cash, meaning theoretically I could do 6 deals, but in order to make that salary (HHI $722k) I need someone with the time to do the repairs and manage the tenants.

You want an accountant who can help you strategize and who is responsive when you want to know the consequences of the financial decisions you are making throughout the year.Good luck.

Most lending is based on cashflow, not the 2% rule (although still a good rule of thumb for some types of investments), might have the most help from the group if you provided some of those details here just so it'd be easier for us to help you best. 

I have some crypto gains I’m really looking forward to dumping into a more stable asset class and hoping this can help me defer the taxes on the growth.  

Hi Emily, welcome to the BiggerPockets community!