I am on a team and we regularly host meet-ups in the Denver area.

I explained that I lived upstairs with my wife and daughter, that we were early-to-bed and early risers, that we weren't fond of hosting dinner parties, etc.

Do I try to learn how to become an Airbnb host + gain STR experience and try to do it in my market?

We are in a great cash position to be able to put a good down payment, but conversations I've had about getting a mortgage have turned negative real quick just because I don't have a "regular" job.

Keep saving money until you land a regular full-time job again, get the job to confirm your salary, and then start looking once cleared by a lender.

Your rental property is no different than a regular business.

In this market that is very competitive for regular buyers and sellers it is even crazier on the investor's side.

Once you close and move in to the new home, you refinance your home with a regular / traditional mortgage (I'm assuming 30 years) and then put the 800k back into your brokerage account.

Use the card to pay for your regular purchases like food and gas.

They work with mobile home lenders on a regular basis and may have a few referrals for you.