With that said, when I find something that fits my criteria I think it's important for an agent to respond and help me complete the process of seeing the property (agent doesn't have to be there if they're busy) and actually submitting an offer in a timely manner. 

I know I am NMLS licensed.. now if your doing commercial deals that's fine on the lending license.Now if you don't hold yourself out as a lender in any manner and do less than 7 a year and they are for your personal portfolio there is that carve out.. but to be a one day transactional funder I suspect that won't work.. but you know if your not caught who cares.and I suppose it depends on who you talk to at the state.. either way the wholesaler that wants the transactional funding is doing it illegally.. that's is clear so I want no part of it.. if they want to bring me a deal I close on it we fluff it a little and sell it AFTER we own it..

You need an attorney who specializes in syndications to set it up in an SEC-compliant manner.

I will probably be somewhere in Asia or Africa building sustainable homes for the poor because I would have made some serious millions while in my twenties. 

Not in a accusatory manner, but I'll ask some prodding questions re: if there are any potential leaks or the like in the home that they are aware of.

It's no longer sustainable or a good use of my time while trying to grow other aspects of our business.Thoughts or experiences welcome!

North Park, South Park, and the other areas surrounding Balboa have properties that will do well for you as a STR, but are much more reasonably sustained if you were forced to transition to longer-term tenants.Let’s get together while you’re in town to further discuss the current market dynamics and take a look at a few properties that will work with your goals/level of risk aversion. 

although there is a carve out for private folks who do not hold themselves out as in the business like we all do.those folks can do half a dozen or so like through their IRA or what have you.. but they cannot advertise in any manner..

Things do not scale up and down in a linear manner. 

Whenever your insurance company gave you the money, they gave you the amount of damage that has sustained, that basically replacement cost of the damage.