We could not have done it without Mark and other key players in our group who came on board to help raise capital, analyze the deal, sign on the loan, etc.  

He was first a hard no, but after talking and negotiating with him more we got him on board.

Rates are on the rise, and my personal opinion is they will not be going down in the near future so a refi may not yield you a lower rate in the future but the drop of MI plus less $ financed may bring the payment down and increase the cash flow, time (and your business plan) will tell.With 0 other considerations, if the seller is on board it sounds like you will be able to live in the East Bay for approx $1,600 a month and that in itself is a pretty great deal.

I take Tom's point on board about what a settlement firm is supposed to do versus asking me to carry out the tasks that they will be paid for.  

Do I use the equity in my current house to fund a small subdivision that my electrical company can wire , approach a bank or investors to get them on board.. anything I should watch out for?

My husband is not exactly on board and a little skeptical bc he thinks us getting a duplex now will effect our chances of closing on our lots and qualifying for our construction loan (we will be building our home ourselves). 

I think the best way to scale quickly is to get investors on board.

Getting a county on board, engineering firm, conceptual design, etc etc.I am trying to become the developer of these types of communities.

@Mike H. has been working with a good one.However, private market flood will only work if the lenders are on board.

I also have offers of 90% and 100% of purchase on the table for financing.I have a management company on board that has a proven track record to handle this class of properties in this particular market.It seems like buying low enough removes most of the risk, but it would be great to hear advice from anyone who has actually owned or managed large SFR portfolios like this before (since it's my first).Thanks in advance!