The FHA 4-plex would not be an "investment" per se...my plan is to live in 1 of the units for 5 years.

I'd like to retire or maybe semi-retire in about 10 - 15 years.I've been going through the BiggerPockets webinars, and hitting every online resource I could find for the last 2 months.I've settled on trying to purchase a Multi-Family 5+ building on Chicago's SouthSide.

For the rehab, I like the idea of vinyl plank flooring, semi-gloss paint (because I've heard some people say it holds up better with tenants), new cabinets, counter-tops, appliances, popcorn ceiling removal,  light fixtures, new water heater, fans, new windows. and something to put on the concrete that kills bad odors.What would you do?

Realtors typically refer to these as semi detached and they are sold individually all the time and are on separate deeds.

Never had the pleasure of having local TX bbq, but spot by does it and they have shiner bock so they have to be at least semi legit.

This way I will have a large chunk of semi-liquid cash to pull out for either a down payment or for rehab in 1-2 years.2. 

I plan to focus on multi-family house hacking for at least the first 2-3 years, hopefully leveraging 203k Streamlined loans to let me do minor rehab work on semi - turn key properties. 

The property is zoned both for residential (semi-detached and detached), and for light commercial use (e.g., neighborhood grocery store, medical office, etc.).

Sounds like a semi seller finance.  

AirBNB obviously incurs the utilities (including internet...maybe cable/security), property management, and hotel/local taxes that I'm still trying to educate myself on...not to mention the upfront/semi-ongoing furnishing.