Everything you stated was completely blowing off any notion of over-leveraging.

I've seen some pretty good sized mods that sometimes blow the deal.  

I am afraid that I will blow my cover this way lol?

Also syndicators massaging debt to make deals pencil to entice LP investment and are now struggling with existing deals blowing up.

I personally fired my public adjustor - it's a long story - but I was capable and better able to advocate for myself better than a public adjustor could.

I'd start with networking at your local REIAs and maybe a Bigger Pockets meetup once this storm blows by you.  

He advocates buying on the MLS at full price (he says he can "over pay" and then he can use "gator lenders" to cover the down payment, closing costs and he has no skin in the game.

I also live in California and I'm a big advocate for staying in your backyard as long as it works for your situation and your goals. 

I also don’t advocate putting more than you are willing to lose on anything, but adding a little bit of BTC to your portfolio certainly isn’t a bad thing.

I know most people say they're gonna buy real estate and hold for the long term, which I advocate, and I do also, but at times, you need to pivot and sell, and can you sell at a price that will make you whole.Now, if you're going to short term rental model, then I would find a coach/mentor to help.