@Jonathan Buehler You can definitely manage STR units long distance, I would recommend having everything lined up in terms of a property manager, or if you want to do it yourself getting a local house cleaner, and maintenance/handyman, is essential.

Provinces are different in terms of property taxes, purchase taxes and general cost of living (electricity, heating, etc). 

In terms of financing, will this be a 4-plex or a 6-plex?

All depends on what you're looking for in terms of the size of the investment, active or passive, where in AZ and desired returns. 

What do the numbers look like in terms of cash flow?

In terms of your options above, number 2 would not be allowed in your IRA because you cannot use IRA money for only your down payment on a property.

They mention how much they hustle but not the accuracy of their remodel projections in terms of both time, quality, and money.Also, we must all realize that most the players that tried to play this game and lost all their chips don’t stick around BP forums to tell their story.  

In terms of experience, I have done 1 flip, own 2 condo and 1 SFH rental and have bought and sold a few properties I lived in personally over the years.

From my reading and understanding, it's best to understand what kind of loans I'm able to get, then see about options in terms of rental properties and such.

The key is to work the outside and inside at the same time as long as it makes sense in terms of the scope.