My concern other than things like water pipes breaking and damaging other units would be protecting myself from claims by tenant.Is this make sense?

My concern is and has been not being able to have immediate access to my property.

Retail is the traditional next step but I'm concerned about the outlook for anything except AAA locations. 

I should have been more specific in my question but I guess my main concern is if achieving that financially independent point is possible while still working at a 9-5 career?

I have a nice write up concerning the nature of the business I'm interested in doing with them, but what I don't have is: a list of clients, contractors that I usually work with, proof of funds, and really any sort of legitimizing material to suggest I know what the hell I'm doing.

I'm not a big fan of tattoos however newer investors and wholesales should copy @Dev Horn's post above and have it permanently inked somewhere in there body that they see a lot of, whether belly, butt or forearm.Great message, Dev. 

My wife is concerned that once we get loan, we close it next Thursday, that we will get in trouble if we get loan on this property.

There are some aspects of the post that cause me concern.

I am fairly new to Bigger Pockets and Investing in general. My brother and I are looking into buying a home using the BRRRR idea. We are not sure how to go about figuring out Occupancy Rates for the area we are lookin...

If your greatest concern is a potential downturn, you've already performed the wisest hedge - buying properties in high-demand locations.  ...and if/when things go south, you have a few levers besides price to keep your properties performing:Providing quality finishes to set you units apart (which you may be doing already, based on your remodel comment).