Does the California government believe that wholesaler activity around the fires would only produce a net-negative?

I found a property in my area that would produce decent cash flow and appreciation; however, I would have to use funds from a HELOC on a different rental property for the down payment.

Do not do anything that does not produce income.

These policies have been to the detriment of small businesses, the self employed and to large extent  true GDP producers.

See what qualifications people are looking for and do what you have to in the meantime to produce income while you're studying. 

If you love property management and want to start a business keep looking into it.Otherwise keep buying income producing properties to generate wealth.

Make sure it’s updated though as the IRS will ask for it to be produced quickly.

There are times when we see deals on the table that won't produce any cashflow or not enough cashflow to meet our target hurdle rate but the tax benefits or appreciation potential may make the deal attractive. 

Those that use it seem to like it and - as a CPA - I like the reports it produces. 

On finding an agent, you make a completely valid point about the top producing agents.