Seems worth it though, so I'm not running around trying to piece things together an build my own empire of employee and agents, etc.

If you have the other income and can afford to keep rolling your RE profits and additional money into growing your RE empire for the long term then there is no rule saying that you shouldn't or can't do that.

Here's two episodes I might start with on your STR/MTR decision journeyBuying in Overlooked Short-Term Rental Markets https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/real-estate-948The Step-by-Step Guide to Building a Medium-Term Rental Empire https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/real-estate-780If you like those two episodes, please feel free to reach out to me for more, there's a good amount of STR/MTR BiggerPockets podcasts and content.

Aloha @Kaleb Ahonen - my team and I take an Off Market/Distressed Property approach in the Inland Empire, San Diego, Orange County and LA. 

Much slower than utilizing a HELOC, but I’m not trying to build an empire and just have a passive income source that eventually allows me to spend my time where I find meaningful.

Let me know if you have any questions...there are so many nuances when it comes to lending guidelines, getting the best terms, and setting yourself up in the best position possible for properties 2,3,4 and beyond as you build your empire. 

>Inland Empire and San Diego have minimal growth due to increased supply.The upcoming vote could reshape the rental landscape significantly, influencing affordability and availability across California’s rental markets.

If you actually did this, you'd have an obvious answer for your question about financing down payments.This is your post from 9 months ago:My goal is I want to buy 200 properties in 5 years(separate business plan) and build even bigger after until I have the biggest real estate empire.

Barbara Corcoran: Built a real estate empire from a modest start and became a prominent figure in the industry.--- Tactic 1: Branding and PR: Corcoran used media and public relations to build her brand and attract high-end clientele.--- Tactic 2: Niche Specialization: She focused on the New York market, becoming an expert in her area.--- Tactic 3: Empowering Agents: Corcoran built a strong team, providing them with the tools and support needed to excel, which in turn grew her business.These investors show that success in real estate often comes from a mix of strategic purchasing, market specialization, strong branding, and building robust teams. 

The chapter, entitled Communities as  Currency within the Mobile Home Empire, makes the case that mobile home owners in parks are essentially a captive audience.