My main goal is to learn as much as I can now before jumping in head first- work smarter, not harder. 

I'm in NJ and made it a goal to call every local bank that's headquartered here in NJ and see what types of products they can offer to me as a real estate investor.  

Honestly, I don't see much of a reason to go and start your own brokerage unless your goal is to build out your business as a real estate mega agent, recruit other agents, set up your own systems, etc.

It's been a lifelong goal of mine to have land to keep as many cars on as I want, to build a homestead, grow food (ie permaculture), etc.

I think you're struggling because you haven't set up your goals yet.

I guess my goal is to be as passive as possible.

I’m pretty sure the 3/2 only needs to rent around 1550 to get to my desired goal.

While you are at it be clear about what your goals and objectives are for doing MF in the first place-and no, I want to quit my day job is not good enough!

What short and long term goals you have in mind.   

I want to get involved in real estate, because I want to obtain enough units to meet my passive income goal per year ($100,000 / $8,333 per month).