So I've been thinking of joining the Air Force for 4 years, during those 4 years I would buy 3-4 unit properties which later after the 4 years I can get into Commericial real estate by doing a 1031 exchange or getting loans from private investors so that I can buy bigger multi-family properties.

Research local rental demand, especially from military and university tenants, and consider balancing your portfolio with single-family and multi-family homes.

Normally it's single family or multi-family that's the easiest place to begin.

My last deal was my first off market deal and when I contacted the sellers wife about the deposits she said that that was a given as part of a multi family sale and they’d write me a check at the closing as I requested because money was tight and I didn’t want a credit where I’d have to come up with the funds out of pocket later.

I avoid the multi-family market here, so unfortunately, I will not be a good go-to here, but I am confident you will find quality resources and help here on BP.  

This will help guide your decision opposed to investing somewhere for a novel reason.for example for me it was cash flow, price to rent ratio, land lord tenant laws and availability of multi-families(Just to name a few). 

I'd suggest focusing on your goal to purchase another multi-family, or single-family home where you can charge travel nurses per room/bed monthly rent.

If your padsplit residents have vehicles that can cause parking issues.

Investment Info:Small multi-family (2-4 units) buy & hold investment.

Quote from @Jaycee Greene: Hey Jaycee, we currently lend on several loan types: Fix & Flip up to 90% LTP, BRRRR, New Construction, Bridge Loans, & Multi-Family.For myself personally, I'm looking in the Orlando, Philadelphia, and Southern NJ markets, 1-4 units.