This is all pretty basic stuff, that you can read about here on BP if you spend a bit of time looking.So, tough question for you - how are you going to succeed at RE investing, if you keep putting in little to no effort on research and just ask strangers for help?

Quote from @Nicholas L.: @Nick LongI think you're overcomplicating this... if it's a fixer, once it's rehabbed, just refinance it into either a conventional investment loan, or a DSCR loan.DSCR loans don't have the 12-month clock - you can usually refinance 90-180 days after purchase.  

Thanks very much for your help.

We recommend reaching out to a broker and obtaining a relationship with them as they can help you understand the nuisances and can make/break a deal.

Feel free to reach out if we might be able to help with anything there.

I have some questions I need help answering. 1) What are investors/flippers looking for in the OC area (Costa Mesa, Huntington, Newport, Laguna, etc)?

The info is very helpful 

In addition, we're forced to pay ~1k/ month to help pay for the CAM upgrade fees. 

I also have a close connection with an experienced developer and is willing to help mentor/guide me through looking at homes and answering my questions. 

A renter can help you save on carrying costs when the market softens.