2) I am currently self-employed and I could move retirement funds to a self-directed IRA, but not sure this is possible unless the seller is willing to write a non-recourse loan doc with us.

The "bank" that closes your loan cannot and will not write a special rider for you- they are selling the loan off three days after you close. 

Since I do not know much as a real estate agent yet, is it better to have someone else put an offer in for you or should I just write in the offer myself under my own name?

Thanks for the write-up!

I am writing this post with the intention of starting a conversation and making connections to continue my journey of purchasing my first property. 

If you can narrow it down to a few complexes you should do a letter writing campaign and try to get an off market deal.  

But then when we go to verify employment, boom, what HR puts in writing is that she's part time.

I pay around $26 each month and write it off.  

I can write about that if you want, but we do cover that almost too much on bp.I'm not sure of your market. 

I agree with the others and get a lawyer to write it up.