I am trying to build a nice little next egg first then move onto rentals. 

It makes sense for your new build but you'll have leverage something (fixed rate) to get out of that loan. 

You could build or flip less expensive units and sell them to your clients/occupants over time.

Over the years, with personal investment alongside investments from family and friends, I’ve been able to build a small portfolio of apartment buildings with a focus on cash flow through strong operations.

There are really great REI opportunities in different markets - markets in the Midwest and Southeast of the country are particularly lucrative - where not only are the purchase prices reasonable for most RE investors, but the homes are turnkey (new builds or completely rehabbed homes, tenant ready, systems 10 years of life remaining on them, property management teams in place) with appreciating home value AND appreciating rent.

But house hacking, short/long term rentals, new build/ mixed use developments and  live in flips all have my attention right now. 

I also have no problem doing some sweat work to build equity in the beginning as well.

Quote from @William Dorrough: I currently either purchase and value add large scale multifamily properties or develop, and build ground up my issue with scaling is we have done this without brining in investors i have a great deal flow with a good track record im really looking to do more i have the capacity but have the need for more capital in one way or another  Scaling without investors can be tough, especially in multifamily.

Quote from @Joshua Tucker: What specific tax benefits can high net worth individuals receive from building real estate on tribal land?

I was sent an offering memo by a broker selling a multi-family building in an area no reasonable person would even consider affordable housing material yet the marketing materials made a point of emphasis to detail how the property would satisfy the need for affordable housing.