Active Utilization of Your S-Corp: This is more small ball type of moves.

Try to see a ball park of what is possible. 

Once you think you are in the ball park, get connected to a lender that can tell you exactly what you will qualify for!

I look back at that time and wonder how I had balls of steel, but realized I didn't have all this information we do now with the media pounding away.

I will just have to learn how to balance that with hiring contractors to keep the ball moving quickly

I have been one step behind the ball this whole process.

His other half is the part of the business that keeps the dingo aligned and is also very much on the ball.

There's certainly no right or wrong answer, and as you say, everyone has their own opinion, but generally I think you will find most people on this site having the opinion that such an involved structure may be overkill (of course, no one has a crystal ball either).California is generally more cumbersome than other states when it comes to taxes and filings.

Keep the ball rolling and use the cash/equity to focus on more REI to build your portfolio.

It depends on the agent's capacity.I usually connect my investors with my contractor or inspector to walk through the property so that everything can be sorted out in one go, or I have my clients make an offer subject to a walkthrough, allowing us to get the ball rolling.