This will give you info about your topic. 

I cannot say anything on this topic, not being an attorney.

@Sean Kelley this is a good topic to discuss with your lender.

There is a bunch on this topic.

https://www.biggerpockets.com/users/ZacharyCole/referenceshttps://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/92/topics/518583-feedback-on-renttoretirement-and-zach-lemasterhttps://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/92/topics/765347-rent-to-retirement-reviewhttps://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/92/topics/808479-rent-to-retirement-experienceshttps://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/12/topics/533693-anyone-worked-with-renttoretirement-turnkeyhttps://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/92/topics/581730-rent-to-retirement-zachhttps://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/48/topics/874096-reviews-on-r2r-and-nch?

I would also recommend AASEW--Apartment Association of Southeast WI---I find the members very impassioned as well and up to date on local topics--they also advocate for landlords. 

Love to hear back on this topic and what you end up doing with the deal!

Looking to get some insight or topics on the best strategy for understanding and choosing a market to start in?

(Link to previous post: https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/548/topics/871040-california-gov-newsom-signs-covid-19-tenant-relief-act-ab3088)Perhaps there's just not a lot of California landlords being affected by it. 

., yes to my (albeit limited) knowledge on the topic, you can fund the purchase of property through your self directed IRA you just need to have the money in the IRA free for the purchase and have the property and rental income under your IRA.