If you have a hard time concentrating, then read "One thing" by Gary Keller to help you stay focused.

-Should I just focus on getting a private lender to help financing instead? 

I'm primarily focused on using the BRRR method to purchase these homes. 

I was first introduced to Real Estate Investing by a person who focused (or pushed me into focusing) on shortsales. 

Also, both a 401k and a primary residence both assume the economy will not be in a contraction when you go to retire - an assumption that has burned countless many people.I would focus on creating passive income before worrying about a primary residence.

I'm more focused on my "cap rate" 24 to 36 months post acquisition and execution of my biz plan. 

Thanks Chris, are you suggesting10-20 is too small to get decent property management focus and therefore be a larger version of the headache of 3 small multis’s?

I'd like to start out with a focus on 3-4 unit multifamily properties and priority on cash flow with a possible house hack as an option.

There are quite a few groups that meet regularly all over the Bay Area (I'm pretty sure there is a popular one in the south bay), and many are focused on investing out of state.

Now I'm able to focus on the new property.Do you have an option to move into the new property and rent out your current half of the duplex?