I think it's just for text, not to talk with a live person.

I did a mix of hard money loan and 0% business credit cards.

I've found the people who want to charge for their time and "mentorship" typically need the money because they are struggling- maybe not the best person to take financial advice from. 

I would never own rental properties in my personal name.

This was probably a result of the busy November for new contracts.

Partnering with an amazing agent and focusing on flipping/a normal job/different business can be a lot easier than trying to learn the ins and outs of sales as a Realtor.

Due to the current interest rates, you probably can't live for free, but you can definitely learn how to house hack in that first year, reduced your personal housing costs, learn the rent by room/co-living strategy on-site, and then probably break-even after move out, but most importantly, it is possible to make that work in 2025 with today's rates.It just takes being open-minded and willing to be flexible for the 1st year.  

Once we had the home inspection I was able to have the seller credit us at closing $8k...of which the escrow could not credit the entire amount and so I had the seller write up a personal check for $2000 How did you finance this deal?

There are multiple potential strategies it's just really going to depend on your personal situation. 

Even if the owner seems like a really nice person, they will micromanage the builder and not like the specs of the house the builder needs to do, and/or the timing in which the builder gets it done, etc.