Decide wrong and you've got an expensive dud on your hands.Once you do one though, then you can replicate the model and the process becomes easier.

My wife's full-time job is raising our children, but her side hustle is managing the day to day operations of the Airbnb, so we have a unique situation that would allow us replicate this model in the future :). 

Interesting, Darren, my definition is very close to yours, but I'd say there is another important element, the quality of the information given.To me, the derogatory use of the term is applied to those that add fluff, exaggerations, aspects that while may be technically correct but are highly improbable to replicate or simply put out bad advice with no consideration to ethical issues.I make that distinction because, some professor in some university teaching a real estate course or some instructor in a state approved real estate school for agents isn't a guru, they are teachers and instructors.The difference in being a non-guru teacher is two fold, 1. the materials taught are compliant with rules, regulations, laws, accepted in practice and are based in sound applications of the business; and 2. they are qualified by education and experience, by education that has some professional level that is determined by proof of their mastering a level of knowledge, testing and degrees earned or certifications by proper authorities in the industry or academia.

I have attempted to replicate the calculator in Excel so that I understand where the inputs are driving the outputs.

Can I also HELOC the investment property as well, giving me available capital for investment #3, and replicate the process over and over from there? 

I wrote a short ebook detailing how I believe this process could be replicated by anyone, anywhere.

I have read about the second mortgage ideas with the seller holding a second mortgage of 15% and lowering my down payment to 10%.I am looking for a strategy that can be replicated many times.

But to be frank, CA's trajectory is impossible to replicate as working remote has become more prevalent, companies more “decentralized”, and more people think about not just professions, but also lifestyles these days).Are you able to find trustworthy realtors/PMs or even service providers?

You can learn things from products that are not legal, ethical or that often aren't easily replicated. 

Curt,I am struck by your post because if you truly deliver an experience that cannot be duplicated no client would want to venture elsewhere.You are actually the only element of the business that cannot be replicated.