These guru courses are almost always started by people who are, themselves, trying to get into the syndication business.  

The exterior sets the tone for the house and is your first impression.

Such a bad first impression if the buyer is standing there while the realtor is struggling to open the door.

Now that you have the size of your deal start talking with folks and looking for opportunities.  

If that is true, is there any reason not to start with multi family?

That's how I started out 9 years ago.

Often times you will pay much more in taxes than if you pulled the money out, paid the taxes and penalty and then started investing in real estate.For example, with the financing you mentioned, the IRA must pay taxes on the portion of the profit earned by financing. 

I have been a Union carpenter for four years now and enjoy working physical labor. I would like to put my money to work instead of shoveling my money into the bank (mortgage) or to a landlord (renting). I currently am...

who used this his entire life and build a net worth of over $1 billion by the 1980s starting with absolutely no capital!  

Start going to meetups in your area.