This is not the best or easiest way for most to get started, however.I firmly believe that the quicker you can get to multi-family (not multi unit which is what 2, 3, and 4 plexes are) the better but you have to do it safely. 

I don't have an LLC, nor do I have a firm understanding of how to protect my personal assets and finances.

There COULD be forced appreciation, as that tends to happen when you buy early in a new development, but never a guarantee of it, so view it as a bonus and not a motivation.I'm not familiar with that particular market so I'd just say make sure the demand is there and have a firm grasp of what sort of revenue is reasonable to expect.  

Buyer really wanted the place so I contacted the firm that handled the FC and expressed that the Buyer would like to proceed with the purchase.

Boston firms are coming in and buying some high rises to turn into apartment complexes.

Link to Purchase listLevel of finish - similar to this : 538 s harvey ave , oak park , ILLink to Model homeAlso if any one is in similar stages of rehab and want to exchange notes on methodology , finding contractors , finding materials , Finish choices , please send a connection request , I am a big believer of sharing knowledge and firmly believe 1+1 = 4 .P.S: Even if you are not experienced and just looking for advice I am open to talking.

You should  start with researching those topics to help narrow down what your most interested in and what you want to do in commercial RE.Depending on the direction you want to go you can get a job with a commercial brokerage, management firm, investment or development  firm.If you want to become an investor or developer you can start with educating yourself in the space then become a passive investor in some deals, JV with an operator or hire a mentor to teach you.

Im an investor but I work at a general contractor firm. ( I've used them so much, they recognized I could be an asset to the team. so they ended up hiring me part time in the office.)

I have one that looks good, but it's through a broker and the $1,350,000 price is "firm."

We, at our firm, attached a Notice 2019-07 to the tax returns we filed for 2018 related to Section 199A Trade or Business Safe Harbor: Rental Real Estate.