Additionally, I recently obtained my real estate licence and became a new sales agent at a renown firm. 

But then the city hired a new engineering firm and they started to condition the heck out of  us and cost us 2 years and we had to bring a 12 inch water line 1000 feet across town which entailed buying two easements to the tune of 250k.. 

Would love to meet you and talk about the area, and if the wholesaling takes off, I've got an eager list of BP investors who would love to get on your list!

Do you work with any specialty tax firms to help us small business owners get access to R&D tax credits, cost segregation and other specialty tax credits? 

Does anyone have any CPA firm recommendations, ideally advising RE investors, in the Nashville area?

I used Michael, Elting & Anders in Mt Holly, NC for many years... great small firm.

He use to work for my property management firm prior to insurance.

I work with several good firms and can connect you.

It will change over time, but for the time being, embrace your age and eagerness! 

If you want more control over it than dropping it all into an index fund, use a self-directed IRA through a brokerage firm like Scottrade to build your own fund of 20-30 stocks you personally choose & invest in some REITs you like to get the real estate exposure.