Start connecting with local investors or attend meetups. it’s one of the best ways to learn and get insight.

Start by deepening your understanding of CRE fundamentals, including net operating income (NOI), cap rates, and lease structures like triple net (NNN).

You can pay for expediting for plan reviews and the best way to "expedite" beyond that is to make sure that your engineer / consultants are submitting complete packages each review cycle.

Best regards,Jarret

This alone is a significant factor in premiums going up (even when rates remain stable).  

I have done some research on ADUs and have come to conclusion that getting a house near a hospital or good college area with a big yard to add an adu and convert gargae to junior adu would be best.

best of luck. i would network in that area and go to as many meetups you can and learn the area well

All the best!

In terms of the areas, you will be best served driving it.

Low down payment (3.5%) is attractive, but comes with mortgage insurance and might not offer the best rates.