I bet that was an awesome trip!

I bet you can do it.

Next, your best bet on a SFR package is with a local bank as opposed to one of the larger national ones.

Do you have the funds to take down the deal or this a just for fun activity that is for your personal edification with the hope that one day the money will be there? 

I think selling and using the 1031 process to leapfrog into a few solid SFR rentals would be your best bet.

Preferably as many units as possible but with hidden value in making improvements (the unfinished attic in our current house was a goldmine) a.My feeling is auctions are good place to go for this but I don’t know anything about auctions. 3.Rent a property to live in for the first year I can’t subject my fiancé to living in a gut rehab again 4.Use the cash generated from the property and work during that first year to put together a down payment for a house for us. 5.Re finance the rental property and buy more property.These are my other day one questions: 1.I’m an architect, does anyone have any advice for actively leveraging my skills to help me do this real estate investing thing full time/ what career change could help me ease into this while still having a salary?

You can very inexpensively have watermarks added to your pictures that will help deter this activity. 

I am currently an active duty Marine stationed at Camp Pendleton, living out in Oceanside, CA.

Hi @Jeff Moore,That depends a whole lot more on market and activity than a general statement ...

While not at work I can be found running in the Oakland hills or actively racing in various trail runs around the bay area.