Most importantly, don't let emotions get involved since this will influence you to skew your numbers.  

hey all, I'm a small time investor setting my affairs in order in anticipation of 1) retirement and 2) a global and/or national fiscal crisis.

As for the question of turn key versus doing it yourself, that will probably be heavily influenced by market. 

So that means while everyone else is popping a top and sitting down to watch football on the sixth day, you need to be working your area and knocking on doors because everyone’s at home- including sellers.That makes the commanded sixth work day the best day to work your neighborhoods, meet with sellers and be looking for deals.What you do on that sixth day will greatly influence your success.Point three: take a day off every week.

@Brett Snodgrass If you like it, vote it up;)but more importantly, you being a local, what influence will this have?  

Also, If I learn more about real estate, then I would have some influence in that area; I would have the option to help people in this area...

They would also check percolation rates as part of that which influence design and tank sizes.  

I'm not particularly thrilled about the idea of buying a multi-family property and living in one of the units, but it seems like the most (fiscally) prudent decision for me, at least right now, as I only have enough for a down payment on one property.

He's been a very positive influence thus far from my end. 

Now a seller's agent spend lots of money and time working their spheres of influence, doing business by referral, sending out marketing materials to possible sellers, organizing events to find sellers, cold calling, and many other things to find homes to list.