In fact, wanting our REI ventures to be well insulated from our other retirement investments.We do indeed have a CPA who does our taxes.

I don't say this to dissuade you from any real estate ventures, on the contrary, I think you're doing the right thing, but I do have some advice for managing the time you spend on investments with the effort you're going to need to pass the program.

Do I continue to stay loyal or should I venture out and seek another agent.

if you are ok with a joint venture, they will fund  and build, but you will end up with less profit. 

I own several single family homes, but this would be my first venture into mobile homes.

I would have to venture into the construction of new MF, Apartments or Condo's. 

There are tax "efficiencies" if you are doing a business venture, that is when you have partners that aren't your spouse. 

I would say the Raleigh has a good amount of meet ups that you should venture into.

Alternatively, and in the meantime, you can operate as a joint venture, draft a JV agreement that states the LLC will operate the property in a joint venture with you and your partners. 

Establish a joint venture agreement and keep his rents etc., as you would if he was another investor just like yourself.