They are pretty easy to get right now and they offer low rates and hope with you they will make much money off you eventually.You might should plan on Fix and Flip or Quick Flip right now in this economy and try to save all the money you can right now and getting into small apartment complexes are a better way to go. 

@Randall Cornelison 30 year notes to improve cash flow. 99% of the time I hear of 15 year notes it's for college savings for the children of the investor. 

That is when I identified House Hacking as my entry way to the real estate investing world.From there, I've been analyzing properties and deals as I save up for my purchase.

Easiest $1k you will ever save yourself, not to mention the headaches

I’m paying 3x the fees to get them closed- would love to find a way to save money.

We put all our previous savings into purchasing and fixing up this house, so at the moment we don't have any cash for down payment towards a duplex. 

Get something like a Rado or NeatReceipts and scan in your receipts and save everything in a digital file for each property. 

Save yourself the 10% of rent and Skip the PM and have your son do it.

Perhaps my wife and I could scratch together $75-$100k (with savings, 401k loans, etc.) though looking at $200-$250k for a 10% to cover down payment/points/closing.Even if I could borrow the money, would you recommend a primary residence purchase in 2018?   

I would recommend you start out with one property I would take out a loan to buy it, saving cash for further investments, like you said.