I bet if you put some work into this that you'd find out they have some account deep in the balance sheet that where all the unused funds from that 7% accumulate or that was a plan. 

I would like to accumulate as many properties as possible.

As you are able to save more and get more experience with creative ways to finance a deal you'll be able to accumulate properties quicker and quicker. 

My goal is to purchase small multi-family real estate (duplex, triplex, fourplex) and ideally for my first deal to be a house hack.By working during college, I have accumulated $50,000 in savings and investments but I will realistically be able to deploy $25,000-30,000 toward real estate this summer.

If you are seeking out asset accumulation and equity appreciation over the long term then there are certainly fortunes to be made.

Funds to close were provided by the equity partners in the deal and from cash accumulated from the operation of other rental properties held in the portfolio.

Hey Darvin, I like to keep at least 9 months of PITI reserves and then assuming the property is cash flowing I'll let the cash flow accumulate to build up the maintenance and capex reserves, that way I don't need to save up that money prior to actually pulling trigger on a new property!

We are going down the same route as you and your brother where we are trying to accumulate as many houses as possible. 

I was bummed to lose some of the progress we made, but the sale of the other home paid down all of dumb debt I'd accumulated. 

I'm assuming that you have a strong worth ethic and are not frivolous with your money since you were able to accumulate these savings.