For example, what to do with retirement accounts.

We considered making it our retirement home, but the town is too small for us to enjoy long-term: we prefer larger cities with a more diverse population.

I am an IT professional and I am just looking to supplement my current income as well as prepare for retirement.  

I should be retiring from the AF in Jan 2017.

And we had the sense that the previous owners, who built the home twenty years ago and intended to retire there, were really just looking to move on from the property.  

Hi @Clint WeirA mentor is a confidant or "retired" person that you trust.A coach is some one you pay to help you learn ideas and concepts, that puts a plan of action together just for you, that "gets" your strengths, weaknesses and fears-sticking points.

Your paid off, homesteaded house can't be taken from you.... unless you give a bank a lien7) No, do not touch retirement accounts -to be honest, with no experience, I don't know you should start into flipping unless you can find a local mentor.

She is on board with this idea because she is retired and living off social security. 

Sometimes it's because wanting to retire and move to some place warm. 

If I'm making $15-20k a month or own 100 properties when I'm 89, that doesn't give me time to enjoy the fruits of my labor.I finally decided that in 12 years, by the time I turn 40, I want to be retired from property management and focused primarily on managing my properties and finding new deals.