I want to pick up more units.

In 8 years I get all my cash back...or,$1M gets lets me loan it out at 10% simple interest for 20 years with a balloon at the end. 

I want to actually be able to pick him up from school at some point.I have zero, or very close to zero knowledge in the realm of real estate, but I know I want to buy and flip. 

As long as you pick the right CPA, the advice will be worth the cost.

Is it just some simple automated Zillow number that you use, or do you do more manual and extensive research to draw your own conclusions about what good market prices are?

Since contract for deed (when done properly) does not get recorded, nor does a deed get transferred to the purchaser until the contract is fulfilled, you will not have to "foreclose".You will, however probably have to do an 'ejectment' (in simple terms a more complicated eviction) if the purchaser will not voluntarily move out.  

I really just want to lend a hand in anyway I can and pick their brain, hear their past experiences and advice.

I would love to pick your brain about the Sacramento market and how I can go about making it work in my favor!

This is key to picking the right properties to invest in.

I would want something that is very simple that I could live in and start to rent out the top and begin real estate investing.