My current job doesn't offer a match and I haven't been able to contribute to my Roth so this new strange space opened me up to finding the awesome community hereI thought I'd ask for some steering direction from those who have some experience so I can talk to a local professional (Dallas, TX) for the details/next steps.

(Or skim coat existing walls and texture both existing and new walls to match) Prime walls and ceilings with uva primer.

We contracted with him to replace the wood in those two spots then sand the living room floor and stain it so it would match the rest of the apartment.

It would kind of match the white shaker cabinet doors that I made in the kitchen, plus it's plastic.

The seller and I are a very good match for eachother and have discussed a deal where I would acquire all 3 properties and seller financing would be available.  

When you run numbers on the portfolio of CDs offered by most places, you find that after 12 months the early payoff penalty on their 5 or 7 year CD about breaks even on the higher interest you get, compared to doing 12 month CDs over and over again.So if you're relatively certain you won't need a chunk of change for at least 12 months, after running your own numbers to confirm, throw it in a 5 or 7 year CD so at least you're hopefully matching inflation. 

One way or another, and if nothing else, someone has to evaluate the property as to the probable cost to bring it to an after-repair-value that matches the surrounding market's fair market value for comparable properties - before ever offering to buy it at "such a ridiculously low price" (as the seller will term your offer at first), let alone, before offering to sell it at "wholesale" to your buyer (i.e., so far below fair market price at retail that the repairs can be covered as well as your profit and the flipper's profit in its eventual retail sale -- or 'buy-and-hold-to-rent-out'er's profit before they would expect to get it rented -- plus the title search, closing, and any tax costs related to your purchase from the seller (usually split somehow) - and finally, the title search, closing, and any tax cost split with whoever buys it from you.Now, that someone could be you (you do trust you and your repair-estimate abilities, don't you?)

My employer offers a 403b with no match and I'm not sure I should take use it if that's my goal two years from now, or if there is a better way to shelter my savings for the purpose of investing in real estate in approximately 2 years.

Cap exp rate-  the rental just had a new roof put on this year, we plan to upgrade and put new HVACs in each unit, and are planning on upgrading both electrical panels and upgrade the 2nd unit to match the other side.  

@Edgar Perez When my clients purchase a property, I meet with the tenants prior to close to get their side, then I get the landlord's side, then I confirm everything matches on the HUD (for prorated rent and deposits) at closing.