We both got our houses a couple years ago, but I did not use my VA loan at the time and both want to invest in multi family units.Our big goal with REI would be to invest in bigger multi family units but for now start with a 4plex and go from there. 

I'm determined to get out of the rat race ASAP and with one multifamily I think I can achieve that (much much faster than SFRs at the very least).

Based on our goals, we will be flipping but do have plans for multi family rentals in future.

We have set a 5 year goal of purchasing a beach condo in a resort that we frequent on vacation every year.

If your goal is buy and hold, you are already in arguably the best area of the country (Midwest).

Overall, my short-term goal is to have invested in my first property before 2018.

More options give you more chances to win.Yea, you may make a few bucks if you invest it in the meantime by investing in the market, which you'll have to pay capital gains on (short or long term depending on when you buy/sell) or the stock market may take a dive in the next couple of years and your $25k is now $18k, which changes your math for you ultimate goal of a MF house hack.

Make your number one goal being to get the property prior to trustee sale by getting in contact with the owner directly.

What are your goals? 

Our goal is to obviously have good positive cash flow, to allow us to re-invest in more property for a "snowball" effect.