The STR deal could be the best option if I understand your situation correctly, except I would probably do this as a cash-out refi and just use the combination of booking history + AirDNA projected income to qualify (if not operated as a STR for a year).

We operate nationally and I work with my clients in DWF out to Tyler and a bit in Houston.

I am no expert (hence posting here) but the bit that I have read seems to indicate that if the business is located in CA and operating in CA (as is the case since the property is in CA), the business is likely to fall under CA laws in the event of an issue. 

At the end of the day though, you still couldn't operate a car well by just reading about it.

Mine is a 3/1 and a 3/3(my side) and by diligently searching the MLS I found it and didn’t really have to compromise on size.

Regulation has slowed the market and made it harder to be an operator.I've never operated my Airbnb to its maximum efficiency because of the time it takes. 

I flew out there and did drive around the neighborhoods - they look much different in person than in photos and video tours (I do know a few CA investors who buy sight unseen in multiple states but I think their risk tolerance is higher than mine).   

The fastest and cheapest cost segregation is through DIY software, but it has significant drawbacks:  https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/51/topics/1136752-expla...Some areas (like mine) have extended deadline beyond Oct 15th.

We are looking for an attorney with experience that can construct an operating agreement for an LLC for an acquisition of a multi family property in the state of Arizona. 

One column I added to mine that was helpful was a "Last Call Date".