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I successfully assist many local and OOS investors. 

Is the partner who is identifying the properties creating value through entitlements or is he merely looking for good value on the MLS and/or through wholesalers?

Sorry, "net" was a poor choice of word.

There are downpayment assistance programs in CA that are in play.

You'll have to create different marketing campaigns directly to property owners and find those hot off-market deals. 

It's a little pricey, but it's been my API of choice thus far.Once you get an API key, you can use their documentation page to test out the API (or just use Postman) before building out any scripts or apps.I had the same objective as you and have found Rentcast to be a good solution.

Since the project is self-funded, both by choice and necessity, the ideal time frame for the whole process (locating the property, inspecting and buying it, renovating it and selling it) would be 6 months, give or take a month.

I hope to be able to apply what I learn here to building my own income-generating real estate portfolio and eventually creating passive income for myself so I can spend more time with my kiddo!

If you're penciling it on, on your buy that's a bit optimistic and you'll have to likely understand your house value would then appreciate re-creating a re-finance loan with a new & higher tax basis and insurance which would likely not make it as affordable as you are penciling in.My best advice is to look to buy a value-add, something on the MLS for longer days or off-market.