@Alex Lee203k is an amazing tool as long as you don't overextend yourself financially. 

I’m also in the process of launching a new home inspection company, which I’m confident will help me get back on track financially.

Prioritize your financial stability.

You did everything well financially, but in the past ten years how many real estate investors meetups have you gone to?

I'm eager to learn about how to find and fund properties that help my family financially and my community with affordable/reasonable dwellings for young families and newlyweds.

So PLEASE don’t make another huge financial decision and then tell that same person after you do it.

Even when I was younger, I understood that it could be a great way to achieve financial freedom, retire early, and live without the stress of money constantly hanging over my head.

If you need financial help, ask under the "Finance, Tax, and Legal" forum.

There's no step by step guide but there are key things : Learn: RE strategies, what interests you, what do people in your area need.Connect: find a mentor, accountability group and be around those doing what you want to do.Help: solve problems- do people need dealflow, property mgmt, construction expertise, etc. 

the have found a way to solve for all the problems that you brought up and get you quicker to a place that your investment can be cash flowing.