I know, I get a lot of different kinds of checks because I work with corporations, schools, banks, jobs, etc.

Most would agree that taking money from you primary residence is not a good idea at all. 

It has to be your primary residence to be able to use your VA loan.

There are many reasons that adding a single ADU in southern CA is a less than ideal RE investment (i will post a list at the end) but the negative initial equity is a primary reason as the initial negative equity position consumes the initial cash flow and can take many years to recover.As for converting your home to a rental….

If I was starting all over I would do two things different:1.

Looks like two different planets.

I think the real estate professional strategy works if it is your primary source of income.   

Again, to reiterate, the risk is less burdened because the property also serves as your primary residence.

This would also allow me to keep my primary at a low rate loan. 

Credit score shouldn't be the primary driver of tenant approval, because if they could qualify for a mortgage they probably wouldn't be renters.