My current short term goal is to invest in a small multifamily by summer 2015, likely in an owner-occupied fashion.

A great one would have the ability to give you insight on specific neighborhoods for properties you're considering, and even manage any renovations for you in a relatively turn key fashion.

At worst they offer incorrect and damaging information costing the recepient loss of money and time, and in some cases leading to damages to the people the “mentored” are dealing with .It is fashionable amongst those with limited formal edification to buy into the self servicing bs put forth by those selling the $20-40k programs that formal education is a waste of money and time, and actually may be harmful to your success. 

Looks like you will be spending 30k - 40k out of pocket anyways, which, combined with some private money, might be enough to do a good old fashioned BRRRR in PG county and generate better returns.

Checkbook plans involve a legal/consulting layer separate from the IRA custodian that is not restricted in the same fashion as the custodial layer, so such providers can assist with better education on compliance matters.

(although it will in amazing fashion serve you well if you happen to die in your later years , a pua after all does buy more additional insurance with no proof of insurability req.)fyi this WL /IUL stuff really doesnt work for the folk who want to pay $50 a month or $250 a month i am sure a policy can be designed around those payments just like you can buy a house for $4000 but ....well I hope you get what I am saying.an IUL or div paying WL is called the RICH MAN"S ROTH IRA in the insurance world because you can do 50k year premiums hell with "premium financing " there are 5M 8M 12 million dollar a year policies being designed for either be your own bank or tax free income or BOTH no one is dumping that kind of money into these products if they are sooo horrible!

Granted the heloc method works better than paying a 30 year mortgage in typical fashion but if your getting a Heloc go in with your eyes wide open.

(grey color floors won't be in fashion forever)