I've since started a separate 401k and am matching my employer's contributions so that I can build some retirement as a safety net.

They think that the higher yield is safety, when in fact its the complete opposite.

I would prioritize any cash flow to establish a contingency fund, then pay down any other debt, then towards the next rental.

Safety, Soundness, regulation should always be top on your list.  

However, that's a safety net just in case we fail to get something in writing.

I would not have done that with buying turnkey properties.Your other option is:B) Have a business that produces massive amounts of cash and you can convert that to cashflow by buying turnkeyThe problem with turnkey is it's hard to raise capital from it from private investors because of two things. (1) The returns are paltry and because you're buying them with little to no equity, (2) you have no margin of safety in case the market went down.In contrast, a good value add apartment syndication can attract big money because the returns are double digits (my project IRRs are 40% and up) and I am buying the properties with 30-50% below their pro-forma values so me and my investors have a great margin of safety.

It’s also a safety net, I and the people closest to me will always have a home no matter what.

In such a case, the tenant would be given the opportunity to accept or reject owning the repair or a replacement with their own appliance as long as it complied with safety etc.

Hi,I’ve been looking for multifamily (2-4 units) homes as an investment property around the South Philly, Kensington, and Fishtown neighborhoods (prioritizing areas near the el or subway).

My opinion is bias since I work at a community college full-time, but I suggest you obtain a bachelor's degree as a safety net.