We are now in a position to start getting serious about investing, we have become much more interested in multifamily properties.

They simply provide additional ammunition should your position be challenged by the IRS.In your interpretation, it sounds like manufacturing bogus emails discussing business can make a personal trip deductible.

I am thinking of using that for a 20% down to generate some positive cash flow. 

Anyone in a similar position as me in terms of retirement focus/cash flow?

One of the strategies our clients use when they don't need the income right away and are in a position to buy multiple properties is to use alllll the cash flow to pay off each loan in turn, resulting in free and clear properties much more quickly and less total interest paid.

After talking to a few people about thier friends that started real estate investing in the same position as i am, most of them used credit to start off until they aquired the capital where they didnt need it anymore, or it was more of a supplement.

Then I would encourage you to find a part-time investor in your area who does flips and see if you could take him or her out to lunch and see how they got started, see how they manage the project while working a job, and if the conversation goes really well, see if you could fund their next deal in exchange for them teaching you their process (make sure that property promissory notes are in place to protect your position though).

Oh, and do yourself and your mentors a favor, otherwise they will not take you onboard, or they drop you quickly: do not waste your mentors time and stay positive.

Thanks for sending some positive energy my way.

@Scott Krogstad Exactly, put yourself in a position for the best opportunity.