My primary goals is to create some passive income through rental properties, either single or multi family homes, to start building wealth to secure my financial future and stop working full time to have more time to pursue my passions and enjoy life with family and friends. 

Is the 18% loan secured by the property? 

Most investors rely on hard money lenders to secure non-homestead/investment properties. 

My plan is to secure a 3 or 4br on an FHA loan as an owner occupied.

Events like that rock your sense of security even though they have a very low likelihood of reoccurring.You might want to ask the police their thoughts on your best course of action and/or responsibility.We've had garbage like that while occupied by the loser tenant, but not after. 

I gave them a 1 year lease with no raise to their low rent. ( I know - dumb).now that it’s up I’d like to raise rent And offer them a 2 or 3 year lease so I have security. 

Also, do you have a method to find them?

But from further research on how wholesalers do business, I have realized that the house hacking method (FHA 203B, 203k...etc) is not ideal when dealing with a wholesaler.

My primary focus is to great passive income and too secure Financial freedom so I can enjoy the time I’m given with family and friends.My main focus is buy and hold rentals (single family, and multi units) but wouldn’t be opposed to a fix and flip or wholesale, I personally think having some of both helps with an exit strategy depending on the market.

I might do it if the agency would be responsible for rent and security deposit/damages.