Even if you don’t close as many deals as you’d like being part time, the knowledge and experience you’d gain is a plus! 

Still renting and saving up for first home but slowly gaining knowledge about the correct steps in this journey. 

I am going to take a step back and gain more knowledge before I continue.

In listening to podcasts of the folks who've been around and seeing what they say when posting, they've all been great at building relationships with key people, fostering those relationships and to be frank, they have no GAIN by spending time on the forum helping us new folks, but they do. 

However, the years 2012-2014 are a period of nonqualified use since the home was not principal residence during those yearsPeriod of nonqualified use3 yearsTotal ownership period6 yearsTotal gain($350,000 − $200,000)$150,000Nonexcludable gain(3/6 × $150,000)75,000You must report a $75,000 gain for non-qualified use.The remaining $75,000 ($150,000 − $75,000) of gain can be excluded under 500k exclusion because you meet the two-year ownership and use tests for the home and has not excluded another gain in the previous two years. 

Long term I want to be investing in commercial real estate with a focus on multifamily properties to build up passive income to supplement my business income. 

I plan on building spec homes as active income and building rental properties for passive income.

Some will be active investors, but many will be passive and will have good tips and thoughts on investing outside of California.  

Note: I'm primarily a buy&hold investor, primarily interested in the cash flow and passive income (and tax advantages) rental properties provide and not so much in the appreciation promise, with a very long outlook (current exit strategy is to pass them to our heirs).

If you are Solo 401k eligible, you can gain checkbook control without the need for a custodian.