Is using a self-direct IRA to fund this venture a way to defer taxes until retirement ?

I suggested that the agent represent themselves --- that suggestion started a lively discussion on the subject of self-representation on real estate deals.Do you self-represent on real estate deals where you are the buyer/seller?

In California, a Will alone is usually not sufficient to avoid probate. 

I figure the upside to the rental scenario is, of course, investing in multiple properties, while a downside would be having to most likely get a conventional loan on the second house with 20+% down and proof of sufficient enough financial reserves to handle two mortgages. 

25 y/o and in the process of being a self taught real estate investor.

I have a few reasons for this. 1) We are both self-employed and our income is inconsistent. 2) We don't want to impact our DTI, because we are planning on buying a house hack within the next year or so.We would be open to going up to 6 units for our first property as long as it's within budget.Now that you have some context, is it possible for a rookie to use a DSCR loan on a duplex or triplex?

@Jason S.I can give suggest a plan for the next year but it requires tremendous self-discipline.

There are always some self-righteous individuals who try to appear as very professional figures in this community. 

Perhaps I make 5-10% if forced to sell if I’m lucky, break even at worst.2) I’m VERY glad I chose to invest in my local market (and not OOS), because I know which neighborhoods to buy in, and I also can self manage, which saves a ton of money and I am able to develop local connections, which helps me buy at a discount.

If they do not qualify because of poor credit or income issues compared to being self employed etc there are differences - but typically people don’t qualify due to poor credit and people will seller finance to these borrowers thinking they woke up at a holiday inn and got a finance degree when in reality they repeat their past mistakesRemember the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again expecting a different result