Just find out the city ordinance is required if you rent any unit for 180 days or less, then you need to pull a permit.

The two lenders I contacted through the "Find a Lender" option never called me back, so I am looking for a local and relatively small credit union or bank I can talk to about taking out a HELOC so I can invest fairly soon.Any recommendations?

You are not going to find cheap, easily obtainable, and efficient.

Am I alone in finding that in today's market, wholesalers tend to be able to bring properties at the same price points as you can find by shopping at foreclosure auctions?

That's a small market and it will be hard to find someone.2.

how do i find a positive cash flow properties ?

Instead of thinking everyone is n00bs, think of everyone as a potential partnership or source of marketing so that you can help them with the things you are great at, renovation, etc and they can find you the deal that you keep trying to find.

Being creative in finding properties they may be interested in?

Again, perhaps my naivete, but it seems to me that commissions are largely about "finding" a tenant, hence it making sense to get ongoing commissions as long as that tenant lasts.  

Did you get a chance to relax, tackle any new projects, or maybe even find some inspiration for your next investment?