It will take talking to a lot of community banks if you don't have additional funds to showcase liquidity reserves and a higher net worth, as the loan will be full recourse.Partner up - combine your equity with a couple other investors to have 30% equity ready for that $1 Million property. - Tim

Write-offs, knowledge to lower my taxes substantially, write-off's you don't commonly think of, things like "paying your kids 12k a year", and "using 'vacations' as 'team building' exercises for said employees, etc.3.

I was able to find a couple of people in my local area that really opened the door for me to additional contacts. 

I do plan on exercising the option to buy when the lease term is up, but I don't want to buy in SoCal.

Additionally, I would absolutely connect with a wholesaler.

Recently I helped my landlord by doing a simple kitchen and bath reno which has now helped him cashflow an additional $200/ mo. 

(credit cards, cash, additional borrowed capital)-What are the biggest mistakes you made when starting off in the fix & flip arena?

The realtor's communication with this tenant does not seem to be helping. 2) If she actually moved in, it is 95% likely she may have additional tenant protections due to her age and medical condition.

The TAR has provisions that will get a landlord in trouble if exercised. 

Also in addition to vetting a deal sponsor, take an alternative route and ask that are currently equity partners in someone else's deals as to what their experiences have been so far.