The answer probably depends on your long-term goal and how long the long-term means for you.You are correct that if you put 30% down on three properties, you will then have to wait until you accumulate enough cash via appreciation, cash flow, and savings in order to buy the next property. if you execute a brrrr, you would be able to keep going. 

You are right, the interest is at 8.5%, but with SDIRA all cash flow goes right back in to IRA.

@Justin R.It's an important metric because it can kill your cash flow especially if you only have a single investment.

- Investing with a Friend: Tips on structuring partnership and legal/financial considerations?

The Socal properties are the toughest to cash flow, so we focus on locations other than CA that are investor friendly and cashflow such as Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama, Texas, Arizona.

But given our high cost city and sky rocketing interest rates, early and simple analysis of any property has so far resulted in negative cash flow. 

- $500,000 Purchase Price- $0 Down Payment- 4% Interest- 30 Year Am- 10 Year Balloon- Monthly payment: $2,387Business Plan: Convert to 44-pad tiny home (tenant-owned) community that will cash flow ~$20,000/mo and be worth ~$3.5 million!

I need to make my first move so as to avoid analysis paralysis but I don't know how to go about it.I hope to meet a mentor(s) who can help me with my vision to own numerous single and multi family rentals to create cash flow, financial freedom, and a legacy for my family.

While my cash flow isn't amazing today, I'm investing in areas I think will experience appreciation and rent growth, and if rates do ever come down I'll refinance and be doing great. 

If you're a single member LLC I'm not sure it makes much difference as it will likely flow through your own tax return anyway as a disregarded entity.