I have started tinkering with residential real estate on the side but would be interested in your opinions if there are other starting points in real estate where I'd add more value than just buying individual SFH's as I'm doing now.

Each bank has a different name for this type of product, but it is important for me, since this allows us to close in say 2 weeks, so we can then compete against all cash offers better

Unless you can find a commercial lender that will qualify you to purchase them with a portfolio loan, then they will need to be acquired individually.

I have done this myself to find individuals and/ or services I need.

a contractor competence radar device

If you were licensed, then you can only give referral fees to other licensed individuals.

I am an IT professional and I am not looking to replace my day job, but I am hoping to increase my knowledge and find like-minded individuals in my area that I could possibly work with on some projects. 

I'm from Bluffton myself... always looking to connect with other like-minded individuals, so shoot me a line sometime!

By focusing on the student market, I'll have the ability to rent entire units to pre-determined groups, or rent on a per room basis with individual students.  

Was it purchased by a legal entity such as a corporation or partnership, or was it purchased by a group of individuals.