Hey @Dalton Foote - I highly suggest  using a renovation loan and house hacking a multi-family if that is possible with your current life circumstances.The 203k and homestyle renovation loans are just amazing products and drastically help you reduce your risk, in my opinion, because you are able to leverage the cost of the entire renovation with such a low down payment loan.We work with a lot of clients who use these products in Chicago, and no matter what, in the long term, they gain great equity.If you aren't able to house hack - the process is essentially the same, but just with more money down with hard money or conventional construction loan.

I have an extensive background in residential construction, having built several properties from the ground up, and I’m looking to focus on either fix-and-flip projects or a niche market for small residential homes in my area.

Second question is, if we don't live in the city we will invest in, we understand we will have to be traveling often, but who could be a good person to check in on the construction so we don't have to go every week?

Maybe for a newer construction is not but older homes (<1970), it is real.

For perspective, last April I closed on a new construction loan (build to rent) with a turnkey company there (Rent to Retirement).

These can sometimes have more flexible terms than standard construction loans, especially if you can demonstrate strong income through your bank statements.

Now, either I'm not posting in the right places of i.e Cragslist / BP etc or my ads aren't as well constructed as I think they would be to attract motivated sellers.

Quote from @Suganya Vinayakam: I'm currently constructing an ADU in Southern California.

You should look into new construction, A builder like Lennar in Bulverde area.

I have been in construction/rehab/renovation most all of my life so I have that covered.