Its relatively easy to manage the process once you do it a couple times.   

Then my second house which was freshly turned had a tenant that up and left after a couple of months and caused excessive damage. 

Third, put the money into an account temporarily for a few months, settle in, buy yourself a gallon of your favorite Ice Cream, pop on the boob tube and watch a couple of good movies.

I got my GC license a couple years ago so I could build houses myself as I was sick of dealing with contractors.I've hired plenty of contractors that were not licensed/insured and it went fine.

Right now I rent one of their properties with a couple roommates and I've been looking to buy my own place. 

You'll want to explore this with your accountant and see what side of the fence they are.What is more a concern to me is your plan to let the property sit for a couple of years and then move in. 

I hired Jenny Yi to design our latest STR in person, she demanded that I pay the full amount of her services upfront, $7,500, which I thought was strange as we are used to paying half upfront and half once it's completed, but proceeded anyway because a couple of people recommended her.

Speak with couple hard money lender there are plenty lenders that are local and knows the market.

Chris can you share how have those couples been able to achieve the 750hr requirement?

As a married couple, you can also take advantage of the $500k capital gain exemption.