Tried to go the traditional HELOC route and after almost 2 months of providing paperwork the lending scenario changed (due to rising rates) and they backed out. 

You just need the right provider to set it up better.

After doing some reading and research I settled on partnering with a few turnkey providers and am very happy and excited to say that I have purchased 3 properties from 3 different providers (one is a duplex) and am embarking on what I feel is a bit of an experiment.  

I was thinking of becoming an agent to learn the process deeper and build up capital for my first househack within the next few years.

I understand the restrictions in the market (and that Napa county in completely restricted) but and am hoping to find an agent with experience specifically in short term rentals in the Sonoma market.

Review this with your own Insurance agent to see what they think. 

I would recommend also finding a brokerage that has agents doing flips for their clients and doing all the work you can to help that certain agent so you can watch what they do and learn, but also give value to them. 

Connecting with other landlords who have experience in this area can provide valuable insights.

I worked as a Panama real estate agent for several years and provide content writing and marketing services for Keller Williams (KW) Panama.The property transfer sales tax is actually 2% of the total value of the property and not 11% as another comment suggested.Yes, the Panama real estate market is low after experiencing a boom for nearly 10 years.

As a new investor to Cleveland, I had spoken to my agent as well as property management about getting my properties lead safe certified and they both agreed that it was a good idea.