Also, how do you analyze future taxes, this is a new property so there's no info on last year taxes.  

In most areas, as the owner, you can legally live in the boarder (as long as the bathroom was permitted) and rent the other legal units.

I had a last question about when or if I should hire a buyers agents, assuming im preapproved and im at the point of finding a deal: do I hire a real estate agents or home buyers agent to find a home that fits my criteria?

Marv, I have been doing digital marketing in this space for the last decade.

as long as owner intents to occupy and has control, they are able to lease out. the biggest thing would be to not have a PM manage the property, as of that point they would then have control over availability. straight from FNMA guideshttps://selling-guide.fanniemae.com/sel/b2-1.1-01/occupancy-types#:~:text=Second%20Home%20Properties,-The%20table%20below&text=If%20the%20lender%20identifies%20rental,including%20the%20occupancy%20requirement%20above).

@Kevin Nolan how long have the rentals on Zillow been on the market?

My recent post in this thread references lawyers you can call.I’m not naysaying, but a 3 to 5-year loan is unusually long for hard money and a bit risky.

Has she owned it long enough to have a bunch of appreciation?

He said we were friends, wanted referrals, told us that we are very particular, and asked to take photos of our home when he was done.The four weeks has turned into three months and a long delay in getting us the final bill.

@Aaron Dixon Welcome to the bay area.Lot's of options and differing areas all within an hour radius.House hacking would be a great way to enter the market here.I'd suggest deciding how far (long) you are willing to commute and narrow your buying / living range accordingly.