Going to try out PayRange, the Shine Pay is slightly more expensive and the one quote about the 20 units appears to be from shinepay as it is the only qoute they ever made... not sure which is better but both look like good options

Although this sounds like a great plan, when they mention training their just like other lead sources. 

The local property will give you practical management experience.You might do better buying a REIT if you are planning to buy single properties far from home.

Perhaps you start a side business or go all out on cutting expenses that are sacrificing things that you want.

To make taxes easier we set up a business checking account and had all the rent paid into that account and all the expenses paid out of that account.

Quote from @Allison Cutlip: Hi all, My boyfriend and I are buying our first home that is a duplex, planning to live in one unit and rent the other side.

I generally see literature as such, and cannot tell if having a part time employee removes the chance of solo 401k or if the custodians just don't want to deal with it:"IRS rules prohibit contributions to a solo 401(k) if you have full-time employees, but you can use the plan to cover yourself and your spouse into retirement."

For the most part, due to interest rates, breaking the 1% cap rate still won't provide positive return after expenses.

Padsplit seems like a neat idea to me, but seems expensive. 

Considering most homes will not cash flow with 20% or less down, plan on 20% and most likely 25% down required - depending on the cash flow expectations.