Normally, we would approach our CPA for this but he is retiring and we would like to seek out a new CPA anyway who is comfortable with doing this transition.

Right now with a million it would retire you investing in midwest cities.

After contributing to your retirement accounts(incl 6.5k roth next year), I'd spend 50% income, save 15% of income for personal savings, 15% for equity investing, 20% for real estate.

We then sold the Ca properties, retired and moved into one of our Wa rentals. 

I invest, so I can eventually not need to have to worry about paying for my kids' college educations or my own retirement.

@Melissa AuellA Solo 401(k) is an employer sponsored retirement plan.  

You're not trying to retire at 25 anyways, you'll be all kinds of bored. 

A bit of business turning over due to retirements/moves.

You won't give up yet....after a while you finally find a gem,  but it ends up being a total rehab or gut project and if you are not equipped to deal with that or have the knowledge or time to do it....you are now bummed and decide that you can't in fact be a real estate investor and now you are going to have to suck it up and work that 9-5 job you hate forever and hope your retirement account is healthy when you retire.

I can see it being a nice place to retire.