My "why" started out as running from the pain of other people controlling my life and threatening my future.

An alternative to custodial SD IRA is Checkbook IRA, which allows you to have a checkbook control over your retirement funds just like Solo 401k does. 

I wish all success and prosperity,                           Mark

@Bernard Chouinard If you are going to have self-employment, then you could consider rolling it over into a Solo 401 with checkbook control.  

I would second the Jet Lending, Quest IRA and Right Path Real Estate/Houston House Buyers Events along with Prosperity Real Estate Group.  

Live long and prosper

One thing to be aware of I'd the rent control laws in DC. 4 units and you are fine bit once you hit the 5th you will become subject to rent control.

It is worth keeping in mind that the Fed controls the short-term rates, not the long term ones (now that they stopped buying long term treasuries and even then it was indirectly), which are much more influenced by the long-term expectations of inflation and the international flow of money (think, is there instability in Russia that causes Russians to pull out their money out of the country and invest it in the safe-heaven like US, is the unpredictable and shifting US policy going to keep the US dollar's status as the de facto world currency, etc).

And as Aaron stated, there are probably lots of deals to be had in your back yard...and you are much closer making it easier to control them.

We have had problems in the past with her trying to control what I put in my yard.