So, we found a California based lender that we started working with, and got our initial approval with a few conditions (documents etc.) that they need, no big hurdles. 

As a co-host for short term rentals, you may not need a license as long as you're not crossing over into activities that could be considered brokerage activities like handling any contracts, collecting rents, doing any accounting, approving tenants, etc.

My credit should be the highest allowable also and I shouldn't have problems with approval.

Personal loans through the credit card companies can be approved and fund very quickly and my best rate is 7.9% so shop around as some are much higher.

I'd use an approved underlayment.Pro Tip: If it's cheap, it's not good.....at least spend in the moderate range.

This can be a very long and annoying process and you're not guaranteed to get approved.

when i buy dirt and do the horizontal these deals can take 2 to 3 years 2 years to get through approvals and horizontal  12 to 18 months to build and sell.. thats a 20 to 25 lot project.

If it's over that limit then it's something they would need your approval before getting the work done and paying it.

I’d be happy to walk you through the process, from pre-approval to closing, and provide guidance on the best mortgage products for your goals.

Also if you have a single-family house already sometimes loan underwriters don't approve you moving from a single-family to a multifamily.