We are looking to have off street parking available at all of our units but a couple of them will require adding a parking pad and will be a significant expense, so I was curious to see how important that will be to guests.

That will be a requirement to buy as a primary unless you are getting a relocation done with your current employer or finding a new job, if not able to work remotely. 

I know that there is a lot of unpack here, but it seems a shame to have to pay property taxes on the higher value when Dad will still be the main resident for the balance of his life.  

What you've described is the sweet spot, where one spouse is able to meet the requirements as real estate professional and the other has a W-2 salary.

I am still searching for the right deal to start, and require an estimation from the contractor.

If you ask the manager to justify a fee and he starts hemming and hawing, move on or require them to remove the fee.

Multifamily investing can be a lucrative venture but requires careful planning and understanding of the real estate market.

Be specific about the financial requirements, expected returns, timelines, and your strategy for fix-and-flip projects.

Making good deals happen requires thinking outside of the box.

To maximize the number of transactions you’re involved in you will need to:Be Top of Mind when they think about moving - which requires consistent reminders.Be seen as an Expert – which requires a consistent message and Evidence of Success storiesGain their Trust – which requires communicating integritySo, start out by listing everyone you know in an Excel spreadsheet.