Lastly - No matter how much money you can save, don't hire unlicensed contractors who will fail to provide you a paper trail and will want to be paid in cash.

Plus, if you aren't able to get approved with what you've got now in terms of savings, credit, etc. you can learn on what you need to qualify so you know what to be working towards. 

They just want to know who to send the tax bill to.

We have been able to save up some money for our first turnkey multiple unit building.

Inherently the steps are the same as if you were purchasing with financing save potentially less closing costs and ability to close sooner (if needed).The terms of your offer (ie -contingencies, closing cost splits etc) will determine what is different. 

Not only were tax shelters stripped of their tax deferral capabilities, but they were stripped of it RETROACTIVE, allowing the IRS to recalculate tax shelter investors income going back 7 years.  

I wanted a house for myself to live in and I had been living with parents for two years to save money.

This is tax free. 

Not necessarily a scam, maybe someone trying to save fees. 

And then to eventually save up to purchase either condos or SFHs, one at a time.