I was advised to find a small boutique broker in my market or in the asset I was interested in, ideally aging, and try to get in and add any value I can with them. 

Whenever you are getting a mortgage the main things your loan officer will look at is you income, assets and credit.

Well if you are buying at an 8% going in today, I could argue that compressing it over 5 yrs (again depending on asset and market) to 7% is still a realistic expectation, especially if your sensitivity shows you can still make an okay return if cap rates do continue to expand.b) you need to be more patient.  

In these cities, your financial resources will go a long way enabling you to assemble a diverse multifamily portfolio and initiate a steady stream of income.

My answer to that question is always, "what is your financial goal?"

What complexities should I expect and what else should I know regarding the financial side?

As some have said, the STR "secret" with only being 2 hours from Washington DC, the right asset can generate tremendous returns. 

Again, it's crucial to consult with a financial advisor or tax professional to understand the specific rules and implications of withdrawing funds from a Roth IRA, especially within the context of a SDIRA and any conversions involved.In summary, while the strategy of using a SDIRA to lend funds for real estate investments can offer potential tax advantages, it's essential to fully understand the tax implications, including the taxation of earnings and any restrictions on withdrawing funds, before proceeding.

I believe business is now the only way to financial freedom and think that it is best to have a business and move that profit to real estate using both of them to help each other out! 

The key thing to know about doing rental arbitrage is the thing you're missing out on is the ability to deduct appreciation of the property itself since you can't depreciate assets that you don't own.