However, sometimes I'm not satisfied with performance or speed.

I went full speed last year and between my company and a few JV ventures added about 10 units. 

Conducting business isn't always black or white, there are many grey areas that might be technical violations and the business owner needs to weight that as a business decision, just like speeding in your car, weigh the risks and rewards, and ask yourself if you'd be the other guy. :)                  

I never compete with anyone to buy anything, because that's a sure way to shoot yourself straight in your foot, unless you compete in terms of speed of action and ability to carry through with your offer.I spoke with my friend who rehabs for living (he has general contractor license, purchases homes around LA, fixes them by himself and his own crew and sells them).

Speed and volume are the key.

I see a strategy of hoarding cash to increase speed of purchases now and refinancing (like a big blanket loan) in a few years to provide a more predictibly paydown period (after growth phase is complete).Is the extra cash worth the rate risk?

Cable & high speed internet available in the area.

Does anyone have any good resources or advice for getting up to speed from a developer perspective?

I've had great luck with the matched paint from the depot (even the cheap "speed-wall" stuff)- once in a while, you get a bad match, but i doubt you'll be able to spot the repair if you do the wall.

It helps burn this judicial "get out of jail free" card and speed up an eviction