Can anyone tell the process to start a real estate investment company in CA?

If she wasn't family, would your vetting process even green light her?

I have started renovations (minimal needed, basically paint) and plan to make the property my primary residence and rent the property at fair market value after my hold period expires (2018).

What does this process look like? 

That process is pretty quick.

@Brent CoombsI do believe i could get all my cash back, I have heard this method preached by many people on BP over and over again and I'm convinced it will work...but you must understand that this is our first one so there is always the air of uncertainty since we haven't gone through the process. 

I have 0 experience being a land lord and my first property is going to be quite the learning process.

Also, I am confused on how the financing and settlement process works.

This is because of our screening process which allows the applicant to "push" their credit report to the landlord.

What would the process be for dividing the properties or changing the zoning?