This being said, I don't believe we'll be able to meet the income requirements to qualify for a conventional.This leads me to believe hard money or private lender is more the only option to get my foot in the door, use my business to make repairs at very good rates, build some equity then refi once the balloon is due. 

I'm not sure if any also lend in Canada, but you might want to expand your search to include "non-recourse" just in case it leads to some more options for you.

This leads to state funded insurance which will be very costly because only those at highest risk will participate in it and if the losses continue, they eventually will need to get the money from someone (rest of people in california?) 

It would be possible in other ways like a lot of hot client leads but anything other than that will probably be specific to what that agent needs.

@Tove Fox - Residential Real Estate InvestingPros:Lower Entry Costs: Easier to get started with less capital required.High Demand: People always need homes, making demand relatively stable.Easier Financing: Mortgages are generally easier to secure with favorable terms.Simplicity: Easier to understand and manage, especially for beginners.Flexibility: You can use it as a personal residence or rent it out.Cons:Tenant Turnover: More frequent turnover leads to vacancy and more management.Lower Cash Flow: Income potential can be modest compared to commercial properties.Emotional Buyers: Residential prices can be influenced by emotions, leading to price volatility.Maintenance Burden: Landlords often deal with repairs and maintenance, which can be time-consuming.Commercial Real Estate InvestingPros:Higher Income Potential: Stronger cash flow and higher returns are common.Long-Term Leases: Tenants often sign longer leases (3-10 years), reducing vacancy risk.Professional Tenants: Business tenants tend to take better care of the property.Valuation Based on Income: Prices are based on the income the property generates, not market emotions.Shared Costs: Tenants often cover property expenses like taxes, insurance, and maintenance (via triple-net leases).Cons:High Entry Costs: Requires more capital or partnerships to get started.Complex Management: More expertise is needed; you may need a professional property manager.Economic Sensitivity: Commercial properties are more sensitive to economic conditions.Challenging Financing: Securing financing can be harder, with stricter terms and higher interest rates.Zoning and Legalities: More complex regulations compared to residential properties.Key Differences:Risk: Residential tends to be lower risk, while commercial offers higher rewards but with greater risk.Management: Residential is easier for DIY investors, while commercial properties usually require a team.Scalability: Commercial properties are easier to scale, offering more potential for significant cash flow increases.

Oddly, Vrbo bookings nearly dried up and I get a steady stream of Airbnb leads despite the higher rate I set there.Unfortunately, by giving Vrbo a three-month exclusive head start, I missed revenue that could have been earned by listing on multiple OTAs from the onset.

The biggest issue is that forgetting to assign a location or choosing the wrong one can mess up your balance sheet, leading to inaccuracies.

You are rushing and that can lead to a first property mistake.

I did some cold calling with it last year and got some solid leads.

I must be doing something right because I never attempt to generate leads, and I've been 100% successful so far!