If you don't intend to blend strategies to hedge risk then you're probably considering a private equity fund with a stated purpose/goal.Operating agreements in funds that take in dollars from passive investors are much more complicated than agreements for single-purpose transactions and they need to be crafted by a securities attorney who specializes in this type of law.

I have 4 young kids age 4,5,6,7 (blended family, two are mine and two are my significant others) so I like the flexibility to be able to jump on the study modules when I have time.

I have the same one in my own house - originally because it blends well with my solar hot water heating system, although now I also take a loop off through a little plate frame heat exchanger to make 'boiler water' to heat my second floor.I didn't like buying the SS stack pipe so my next tankless will be a condensing Navien.

Do you guys just pick the top 3-5 properties according to "Redfin's special blend", or do you do things a little bit differently?

Like @David Hurt mentioned...put in pocket change and have seen around 5.9% return on a blend of loans (focused more on A & B loans, with a minor blend of C & D) using the automatic investing option.  

I'm sure your accountant background will be the perfect blend with REI once you decide to make your move. 

I dont want mine to blend in with the rest of the manilla folders3.

That's because, if they don't bring it up, neither will I.What this does is bring us to a wonderful scenario called, "blended interest."

I have a blended approach of cash flow and equity appreciation and it's worked well for me.  

Knowing what to look for from multiple angles (big picture, as @Bill Gulley stated) helps present a creative, if not blended solution that makes a property turn I to a deal!