We will inevitably work with a CPA in the future, but are there benefits to starting that relationship now?  

AirDNA is good for looking back over last 12 months and enemy method is good at looking at competitions occupancy and rates in near future.

Let's connect too, I might be able to help you in your future real estate ventures.  

I live in the SF Bay Area and have decided to buy my first single-family home.I fully acknowledge and recognize that the SF Bay Area and California (in general) may have some of the worst cash flow numbers in the entire country.I've already traveled to cheaper Midwestern states to look at real estate opportunities, but have decided to invest here in the SF Bay Area as I'm purchasing with the intention of living in it first and foremost, and then renting it out sometime in the near future when I move overseas.I'm looking for anywhere in the Greater Bay Area/Northern California region (even Sacramento & Central Valley is okay) with better than average purchase price to rent ratio, and some appreciation (if possible). 

Hey Greg,Yes definitely would be interested in hard money lenders and partners, etc. but I am not sure of the process so am learning that currently as a viable option in the future as I know many people don't even use their own money to scale up! 

I'll just add, that if you've done these types of deals or similar deals before, having accurate and up-to-date financials (aka bookkeeping records) for those previous deals to be able to analyze the numbers would be a great tool to use to make informed decisions about future deals.And, even if you haven't done deals like this before, keeping updated financials for the deal you're doing is going to be huge as you're making decisions throughout the rehab.We call these data-driven decisions.

I would also like to use this agreement for future property I might aquire.

This is not often understood but can seriously effect your flexibility in the future.  

In future, find out the permit requirements from the AHJ (Authority having Jurisdiction).

It would simply sit in your passive bucket and rollover to future years, negating the benefit.