You have to be smart, creative and committed to do what is necessary when dealing with criminals.I also believe all landlords have a responsibility to our industry and in particular other landlords to insure criminals have a eviction on their records.

These are goals that I feel are practical given my current inexperience/commitment. 

I am a newbie that has made the commitment to start purchasing multi-family properties beginning in the new year (2017).  

Using the BRRRR strategy you need to plan out the entire process before committing to the purchase. * Buy distressed property at a discount * Rehab the property for forced equity capture * Rent the property for cash flow income *  Refinance into a long term loan and get most of your investment basis (Cash) out* Repeat the process So, you got most of the process, but, it doesn't sound like you planned for the Rent "Cash Flow" and refi parts.You should (next time) lineup a bank and get that process started (Pre-Approval) before you purchase the property.  

Get them to commit to a turn cost, turn time and vacancy fill time.  

Find one that fits you and commit to it and pursue it and you will be successful.  

You can technically wait until the day before you're closing to form the LLC and assign the contract but you'll need property and liability insurance ready to be bound and a title commitment in the LLC name before you close, so realistically, you should do it at least a couple of days in advance.

I have fully committed to learning as much as possible and meeting with as many like-minded investors as time allows.  

I have be leaning towards VReasy, but hard to make the final call.My VR, although sounds good, has quite a high set up fee and am not ready to make that commitment to software I am unfamilar with.

Welcome to BPYou've come to the right place for learning.Just make the commitment to stick around