EDUCATE YOURSELF - yes, it will take time, but will lead to a selection that better meets your expectations & avoids potentially costly surprises!

A good mentor will help you evaluate things and identify potential hurdles before they come into play.People fail because they think it's easy without understanding what the difficulties can be.

My focus is on uncovering properties priced under $800K with the potential to gross six figures annually.

I decided to look into an official duplex or triplex putting 150K down that has value add with renovations and potential unit add but it wont have as much equity because it will be an on market deal. 

Of course when doing the 1031 exchange your basis will carry forward into your replacement property.Where you have a potential issue is establishing your intent to hold those properties but immediately selling one or more them as soon as you have them ready. 

., income, credit score, rental history) to evaluate applications in the order they are received.Notify Applicants: Let each applicant know you will process applications sequentially and explain your timeline for review.Act Promptly: If the first applicant meets your criteria, move forward with their application and provide them with a clear deadline to sign the lease and pay the deposit.Move to the Next: Only if the first applicant does not meet the criteria or declines the lease should you proceed to the next application.By focusing on one application at a time, you simplify the process, maintain transparency, and mitigate any potential fair housing concerns.Lastly, since housing laws can vary by location, double-check Arizona’s landlord-tenant regulations to ensure compliance with any local rules about how applications are handled.Best of luck with your rental process!

Plan for a smooth transition: Respect the notice period and prepare for any potential disputes.

I want a real estate agent with a hustler's mentality, who knows the neighborhoods, studies appreciation and deal analysis already, understands short-term rentals, and is potentially looking to be a scalable partner with me.

I'm assuming you would need an LLC for each property but potentially you could make one that would encompass all your properties. 

I suspect build cost in CA are closer to 400 a foot than 200 like many other areas and of course far higher for the custom homes.