@Eric James a couple of reasons for the double close, but you're right that many use it for "hiding" the buyer from the seller or vice versa, some only do it so they aren't having to assign or disclose their fee and then there are places like NC where if you don't 100% disclose to all parties fully explaining the full process then ONLY double close WITH funding the AB side is allowed due to new legislation from the NC Bar. 

You will be looking at commercial loans vice conventional financing.

You could have a $200K house then buy a $400K 3-unit, or vice versa, as long as you have the entitlement.

I'm working on a more formal goal/plan.I learned about bigger podcasts from a Captain in my unit who's been interested in real estate for a while.

Welcome captain!

The sweet spot can be a property that is a class lower than the market, not vice versa.  

We will definitely have to read this post to get a better understanding of what OUR goals are vice just our individual goals.

Another option is to also make the parents leaseholders vice co-signers. 

Do what feels right and allows you to sleep well at night and remember that it's expected that your plans will change over time.I'll leave you with this...when a ship sets sail across the ocean, the captain doesn't set the course and go below deck for 2 months.

Has to be a simultaneous purchase, meaning that the IRA cannot put up all the money for the purchase and then later the IRA account holder puts in the money for her part of the purchase and get reimbursed by the IRA and vice versa.