@Brian Reynolds,If your TSP is with the past employer - you should be able to roll it over into self-directed IRA and then invest in alternative assets such as real estate. 

It's having the mentality using leverage to increase the income, which will than accelerate the debt payoff of income producing assets all the more faster.

I'd like to start by creatively obtaining a property with a small initial investment, so any advice would be appreciated!!

One reason I don't predict a major crash again well a few.. and why I think fence sitters may get a sore butt.is that so many of the NEW crop of landlords are better prepared than pre 08  they have more money into the deals they are far more educated.. the turn key business is far more mature and reliable than pre 08... so that helps those markets. financing has been locked in at historic lows 5 % and under long term money is ridiculously good.. also this crop of landlords had the best buying seasons ever coming out of 08 to 2011.. so asset values were reset to under replacement values and under by a long shot in some markets.. 

Buying another cash flowing property and being able to continue to increase your assets and also increase your monthly income from your rentals.  

It has been suggested to me that good leads are obtained using Flip Comp and I'm not sure my dollars are being spent in the best place to generate leads. 

I doubt you will be able to obtain that type of refinance loan.  

It's main purpose is asset protection.

Also a good place to obtain team members and partners.3.  

The LLC operating agreement would serve as the partnership agreement, plus the LLC will provide a layer of asset protection for both of you.