I plan to take the cookie cutter approach, having about 4 or 5 engineered plans, a dedicated team of contractors trained and experienced in this kind of construction that I work with exclusively, as well as an engineering team in place to consult with when needed. 

I have a full time job that I love as a product design engineer and I want to fulfill my other dreams which is owning my first Multifamily home.

Engineer transactions.

Buy or inherit and hold all their lives while working the properties for income.I've seen teachers, firemen, software engineers and all sorts of people utilize both strategies successfully.

(Reverse engineering) Do you have any advice or tools on how to build my list?

I have a full time job working for an Engineered Wood Products Company as a Safety Manager.

I am a retired engineer, 37 years with Boeing.

each lot is unique and each city is unique... until you have a house plan.. and an engineered foundation that is approved by the city  and that is put out to bid.. there is no way to know exactly what your build costs would be other than to spit ball .... and really depends on the soil stability to start with

I work a full time engineering job while I try to do all my own repairs/maintenance. 

I went to school for Architecture & Civil Engineering an have been researching real estate investment for over a year.