With this in mind, our current plan of attack is to focus on buy and hold investments, both single family and multifamily properties (whichever is the best deal, really).

@Jonathan TrimboliFirst see what main software(s) you would be using, whichever system it is compatible to, you have no choice but to go for that.

From listing, to application, to communications, whichever platform allows a seamless and interconnected experience.

Best of luck in whichever way you decide to go! 

Take the state's or the county's (whichever is higher) median income and divide it by two.

I want to have time to dedicate to whichever worthwhile cause is most important to me at the time. 

Pick whichever you were looking for:1.

The most important thing is to ensure that you are educated on the various options and that whichever option you choose you follow the laws and regulations surrounding them.

I called US bank and they claim that they do not hold the mortgage, but they did file the lis pendis on that date, on behave of chase bank, for whom they service the loan. i called the attorneys who filed the lis pendis, and i had my attorney call them. all they would give her for information is that the case is closed. since the april 2013 filing, ( which case is now closed), there has been absolutely NO further action on this house in any court, nor have any property taxes been paid. my feeling is that this mortgage lien has been written off by whichever bank holds the mortgage, but no release of lien has been filed within the county courts regarding the matter.can anyone tell me what is going on with this house?

You can loan yourself 50% or $50K, whichever is less.Next, I'd consider decreasing or stopping putting money in the 401K so you can save money outside the 401K.