What interested you in Multi Families opposed to single family?

SFHs are poor cash flow properties, generally speaking, and the cash would be better spread between several multi plex properties as opposed to a couple of SFHs.

Options are still a great tool in the tool box, it's going to take some education to learn what they really are and do as opposed to the folklore found in public forums, blogs and sold as a product by gurus.

I'm not opposed to finding a good team to start off with, but I eventually want to venture off into my own.

Flipping houses regularly in such a plan does incur tax known as UBIT since the tax exempt entity is conducting a business and competing with taxpaying businesses as opposed to just making passive investments.  

I've found that menards has the same type of flooring as Home Depots allure, but on sale its $1.25 per sq ft as opposed to allures $1.79  sq ft.  

Properties must be held for rental/investment purposes as opposed to rehab/flip properties that are held for sale. 

Primarily at this point, I'm focusing on learning, analyzing a deal, and finding mentors and other like-minded individuals with real life experience (in the area's we are looking to invest specifically, but I'm not opposed to making new friends everywhere!)

If you are opposed to the CCW I would look at carrying pepper spray. 

Generally it is best to own rentals in your own name and use ret. account for some other alternative investments such as trust deeds or private lending (because there are no tax benefits when owning rentals in your retirement account as opposed to owning in under your name), but every situation is different.