Making 8% cash on cash in other states may be cool for some, and everyone loves to hate on California real estate investing, but I'd bet a lot of money you've come across clients who have made generation wealth right here.

AI / Robotics are pretty certain bets to me.  

You bet Jason.

I bet he was listening to the realtor, TERRIBLE idea (sorry realtors) .Realtors care about one thing, making the sale.

If it's working as an LTR and you are cash flowing, I'd be willing to bet that the juice won't be worth the squeeze in converting them to STRs. 

From what you laid out, a bank statement loan might be your best bet.

To fund their bets, they pulled money from bank accounts or sales of vested Meta stock.

Lending: You bet.

HELOCs are variable rates and it's highly likely that they'll actually be LOWER in the near future, why not bet on that?

I usually spec an I beam in the center of the basement to use less lally columns but other than that everything else is wood.