Do you use any tools or services to automate the process, or is it something you manually handle?

A home equity loan seems like a possible way to expand my portfolio, would consider buying a multifamily and renting out our current home to live in one of the units and purchase it as a primary home (assuming its 4 units or less), but being in the Santa Cruz CA area, I am afraid I'll need to look outside of CA for any deal that makes sense, and can't afford to lose my great job (can't work remotely).  

Hi Delroy,Congrats on your 2-flat purchase—exciting times ahead!

It can accelerates process and can make numbers look very attractive (if you are open to renovations, does not need to be crazy)

Whether you’re a mortgage broker, real estate broker, or running a private lending shop, what software and processes have been game-changers for you?

@Chase Calhoun mainly we work with local builders but we have also purchased from the regional builders as well.

Quote from @Armani Diaz: Hello, I just purchased a rental property duplex through wholesaler.

Purchase price: $275,000 Cash invested: $275,000About this homeBeautiful 2 bedrooms 1 bathroom condo in the convenient location of Rowland Heights, close to bus stop, supermarket, schools, shopping centers etc. newer counter top in kitchen and bathroom. 2 parking spaces and storage room.

For the BRRRR process I plan on using a hard money lender for the rehab process for the SFH's but what I'm not sure of is, should I purchase a duplex and rent one unit out and live in the other or should I just rent for now, not purchase a duplex and just purchase a SFH with cash and start BRRRR'n immediately?

I started with a house hack then purchased my own rentals/BRRRRs and now I own a successful 7-figure rental portfolio.