Back in the world of 3% rates, you could get a HELOC instead of the primary mortgage and lower your daily balance and cut down the life of the loan significantly.  

I want to utilize my arbitrage to obviously use for my personal life but also to create a hefty fund for investment properties later on the line. 

I'd say the logical paradigm in the question is a bit off.CRE includes everything from airports to golf courses to hospitals to campgrounds.So saying "residential versus commercial" is like saying "bacon versus plant life."

Most important thing is gaining enough knowledge to be able to purchase properties that's going to add value to the next few years of my life and my kids 

If you are new, it will take you a year to recover from a 1-star review.I have been staying in timeshares and short-term rentals my whole life.

But since you asked I have hired multiple skilled trades and as a union worker I work hand in hand with them everyday of my life.

I believe in five years life will look differently. 

There was an article published in Sept 2024 that showed the average consumer would save over $10,000 by working with a broker vs a direct lender over the life of their loan.

I've done this twice in Reno, NV and it's changed my life. 

Someone's home is one of the BIGGEST and MOST IMPORTANT things in their life!