I ended up going to my local (SoCal) Wells Fargo and they got the job done. 

They get the same jobs every time we upgrade a unit.

I currently have a day job and am interested in having a management company help me with this property since I'm new to being a landlord. 

The day will come.While you are waiting, learning and saving try to get a job in the trades so you can get some experience.

I was wondering if this will affect me negatively when applying for a job and if I’m better off staying self employed until I find a property and my loan is squared away.

He eats with them, visits, but only stays the night occasionally.

I have significant experience in the syndication space (my old job as Director of Acquisitions), but have never had to raise earnest money and/or do a JV.

Our goal is to eventually create enough monthly cash flow through rental properties to quite our jobs so we can travel and enjoy time with friends and family.  

I do know a good bit about development because my father has done several sub-divisions on his own over his life as well as my professional job as an architect gives me a very unique perspective and knowledge base that most people in REI will never have.

A marginally a-float blue collar worker, with a family, at least one job does not have the time, focus or financials to maintain or especially remodel a home (work for equity).The long a go Gurus touting the virtues of buying super cheap junkers, with zero rehab advertise rent to own, or directly into Contract for Deed, zero rehab, put folks into those homes.