But I just don't know enough about the op or the market or local lenders to make a recommendation.I see stuff like this and don't know what to think:http://www.loopnet.com/Listing/19685618/1611-Steve...http://www.loopnet.com/Listing/19851952/6606-Lockw...I would think that @Stephen Gantz would benefit from posting an address, neighborhood, or at least a zip code here to let some of the experienced locals chime in.  

It might be more of a concern in a complex dominated by owner occupants, who would be more likely to push through HOA rate hikes that are less likely to see a net gain for an investor.Your cashflow is entirely based on how much down payment you bring to the table and terms of the loan.

Looking for advise to set it up properly to maximize tax benefits.

I currently don't make much money, but I've been motivated to get this business off the ground and start gaining real estate experience.

Following are the similarities and differences between the solo 401k and the self-directed IRA.The Self-Directed IRA and Solo 401k Similarities Both were created by congress for individuals to save for retirement;Both may be invested in alternative investments such as real estate, precious metals tax liens, promissory notes, private company shares, and stocks and mutual funds, to name a few;Both allow for Roth contributions;Both are subject to prohibited transaction rules;Both are subject to federal taxes at time of distribution;Both allow for checkbook control for placing alternative investments;Both may be invested in annuities;Both are protected from creditors;Both allow for nondeductible contributions; andBoth are prohibited from investing in assets listed under I.R.C. 408(m).The Self-Directed IRA and Solo 401k DifferencesIn order to open a solo 401k, self-employment, whether on a part-time or full-time basis, is required;To open a self-directed IRA, self-employment income is not required;In order to gain IRA checkbook control over the self-directed IRA funds, a limited liability company (IRA LLC) must be utilized;The solo 401k allows for checkbook control from the onset;The solo 401k allows for personal loan known as a solo 401k loan;It is prohibited to borrow from your IRA;The Solo 401k may be invested in life insurance;The self-directed IRA may not be invested in life insurance;The solo 401k allow for high contribution amounts (for 2016; the solo 401k contribution limit is $53,000, whereas the self-directed IRA contribution limit is $5,500);The solo 401k business owner can serve as trustee of the solo 401k;The self-directed IRA participant/owner may not serve as trustee or custodian of her IRA; instead, a trust company or bank institution is required;When distributions commence from the solo 401k a mandatory 20% of federal taxes must be withheld from each distribution and submitted electronically to the IRS by the 15th of the month following the date of each distribution;Rollovers and/or transfers from IRAs or qualified plans (e.g., former employer 401k) to a solo 401k are not reported on Form 5498, but rather on Form 5500-EZ, but only if the air market value of the solo 401k exceeds $250K as of the end of the plan year (generally 12/31);When funds are rolled over or transferred from an IRA or 401k to a self-directed IRA, the amount deposited into the self-directed IRA is reported on Form 5498 by the receiving self-directed IRA custodian by May of the year following the rollover/transfer.Rollovers (provided the 60 day rollover window is satisfied) from an IRA to a Solo 401k or self-directed IRA are reported on lines 15a and 15b of Form 1040;Pre-tax IRA contributions on reported on line 32 of Form 1040;Pre-tax solo 401k contributions are reported on line 28 of Form 1040;Roth solo 401k funds are subject to RMDs;A Roth 401k may be transferred to a Roth IRA (Note that from a planning perspective, it may be advantageous to transfer Roth Solo 401k funds to a Roth IRA before turning age 70 ½ in order to escape the Roth RMD requirement applicable to Roth 401k contributions including Roth Solo 401k contributions and earnings.)

I didn't have to pay any closing costs, fees or down payment, and my policy balance was still gaining interest while it was being invested.  

My career goals is to gain all the knowledge and expertise of what the real estate field have to offer!  

That is in the works right now.Since the investor is extremely busy and used to doing everything himself, I am working on gaining as much knowledge as I can on my own to invest myself as well as to create value for future JV's and partnerships.I found BiggerPockets from a friend at work who is in the process of flipping his first property.

I foresee it becoming a hotbed for medical professionals and chapel hill residents migrating there for the tax benefits and roi on selling their chapel hill homes and moving there....

We want to invest in buy and hold properties, but we feel that pursuing this strategy will better benefit our long-term goal due to the potential cash flow and appreciation of a property (if we buy right).