I.e. the P&I calculated from BP tools mortgage calculator is giving me a P&I $100 over what the real estate agent provided me with.Regarding comps, what is the best way to obtain the data for them?

Require that your borrower obtain insurance which names your lender as the first loss payee and you as the second loss payee. 

Looking for recommendations on a CPA to fill out a 990-T form for my self-directed IRA.

I can call expired, vacant, lien, pre foreclosure, obtain timeline for selling (or listing if you’re a realtor), condition, motivation, price, and run comps (equivalent # of stories, .5 miles (not crossing major freeways), same # bedrooms, sq ft, whatever parameters you want set). 

Federal loan interest rates currently sit at 3.73%, roughly the same rate as a 30-year mortgage, but is 0% until May 2022.Some factors I've considered that make this taking this $4,000 attractive:- I may be able to obtain lower interest rates with a larger down payment, offsetting student debt interest- Avoiding PMI by making a down payment over 20%- Booming housing market in my city with consistently increasing equity- Living several years in the home leaving time to grow equity, potentially making much more than I owe in student debt While all this may be legal, my biggest question is this - does this sound like a smart investment strategy?

Two things you need to get cashflow (active) income which it sounds like you are doing with getting into Wholesaling, the second tip is to start to obtain passive income which can be in California.

I see that T-6 in your profile pic.

I have been in education for 22 years (full-time), and a real estate agent for 2 years (part-time primarily). I got out as an agent due to some family issues and get back into education out necessity. Now my family si...

Is it possible to obtain a HELOC or Home Equity Loan with not so perfect credit?

I live in Vista and what you did is my next move to a t.