It's up to everyone to do their due diligence/etc to figure what is/is not a good source so to speak.

@Alison CromwellIn order to obtain a flip loan with no consistent income history, the following steps need to be undertaken: create an impressive credit score, put aside more funds as a down payment, check out new methods of getting funding besides what is available from banks or other financial institutions, involve yourself in investments with toughened entrepreneurs, show how financially sound you are by doing things such as getting enough money into savings over time through frugal living habits or accumulating valuable assets that can be readily converted into cash when required among others like developing several stable sources of income or steadily growing one.

Not knowing the final plan, I'm not sure if 1031 is a good option.

One could either use the first option to earn more money or counterbalance housing expenses with it.

If I house hack, budget expands due to financing upsides with an fha or new 5% option with Fannie Mae.

Not sure if I can refi OUT of my retirement vehicle, but if I can, that would definitely be an option. 

Meet.com is a great source to check out and I'm sure they're several RE events going on.

We are looking into buying with creative options such as using a wholesaler, putting more money down, and house hacking.

With rent control laws in Los Angeles, as I see it, options to increase rents consist of:a) Cash for keys.

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