No more 1031 exchanges for me.

I'm not sure how much of that is going on right now, but I'm sure there are always traveling nurses and doctors coming into this area that need short term housing.A lot, of property management companies will only do a minimum of one year leases, but I think there is good value to be had in the short term rental game, as long as you have a good strategy and a management company that is align with your vision.When I was leasing full-time, I used to get a lot of calls from insurance companies who have clients who's properties have been in a fire or some natural disaster and need short term housing, and they're also willing to pay a lot higher than market rent. 

We have no started yet.

Insurance would cover it, I would pay the deductible, and no assets would be lost.If you are in an area like San Diego where people are more likely to sue, a judge is more likely to find you guilty, and the payout is expected to be higher, you may consider an umbrella insurance policy.

Considering your goal of house hacking a duplex, while FHA loans are common for first-timers, there are alternative financing options to explore:Conventional Loans: Need more credit and down payment, but offer flexibility. 203K Loans: Ideal for fixer-upper duplexes, bundling purchase and renovation costs.VA Loans: Great for vets—no down payment, competitive rates, and no mortgage insurance.Portfolio Loans: Private lenders, good for unconventional income or credit histories.Hard Money Loans: Quick, high-interest, good for investments or major renovations.With $30,000, mix it up—use it for a down payment, maybe pair with a conventional or FHA loan.

They have NO IDEA what a property looks like on the inside.

There is no max loan limit with these products.

I just renovated a 2 BR / 2 BA single family built in 1900 and it was 55K.Also, there's no such thing as "ARV 200-300K" - you need to conservatively estimate the ARV and come up with a much narrower range.Finally - are you local?  

If the lender defaults, will the fact that I purchased the loan as an individual with no licenses compromise my capability to collect/foreclose? 

If no, sell it.