So 2 remaining types of accounts are what I need to do further research on.When I google SDIRA I get this in the most simplest of definitions:A self-directed Individual Retirement Account is an Individual Retirement Account (IRA), provided by some financial institutions in the United States, which allows alternative investments for retirement savings.It appears though that the SDIRA has a component of allowing 'checkbook', no?

Home ownership will continue to decline as people are living longer and downsizing is becoming more popular across generations.

They take a lot of showers.Is tehre a book Slumlords for Dummies.......would be popular here-methinks.

Alternatively, what about a tall propane patio heater (we've never had one), or would our liability be greater or the same with that?  

As Podio gets more popular, more and more extensions/integrations are becoming available.Hope that gives you some insight :)

We've been looking at 10 to 30 unit buildings in the area, but I've been kind of busy with a newborn and the day job.Somewhere a bit under $1/sqft seems normal for rents in the more popular areas though that drops off with larger SFRs, further out, or lower quality areas.  

You can lose your earnest money messing around and your alternative to avoid other issues will be to make an application, pay loan expenses and then be denied by a reputable lender to satisfy your contractual obligation. 

@David Rocca FHA is popular for the first time if you don't own anything else.

That being said, Airbnb is becoming more and more popular in this market.

Alternately you could offer them all a bonus once you sell the property.