You didn't mention your location, so I'll use what I see on one of the hot coastal markets (SF Bay Area) where supply/demand for skilled labor is out of whack in favor of the skilled labor.... and you can file this post in the what you "need to hear" category, not "want to hear." :)In all probability as a new investor, you will NOT be getting everything done nearly as fast as you think, making the six month wait moot.

I have a unit in Birch Bay, about 1.5 hours outside Seattle.

Do I really have to leave the Bay Area to continue my real estate investment career???

I have sold all my rentals in the bay area as price is way too high. 

Also I would join whatever landlords association is in the bay area i know there is one and i bet it pretty robust.. this is where you learn the local laws and how to enforce them.  

I live in the Bay Area so I could use to help from folks who know the market there well. 

I know someone who is building a tiny home community in the California Bay Area@jeniferleviniMight have some tips for you

I am planning to purchase a buy and hold property in the northern part of the bay area, CA or the central valley as my first investment.

I bought a "starter home" in the San Francisco Bay Area in the early 1980s and had to stretch myself financially to make it happen.

A typical ceiling might be double 5/8" drywall, resilient channel, fiberglass insulation between joist bays with 3/4" ply subfloor.