You didn't disclose what your education level in the note space is so presuming you're just starting out I don't think that's enough time to really get your bearings.I think minimally you need to determine whether you want to go performing or non-performing.

@Dana HarveyWhile I understand your desires the programs you are talking about have strict time limits that need to be adhered to. 

@Jaz PatelYour better to go in person than online as typically less competition.

I was thinking about Multi family but i am not sure how to go about buying out of State especially finding a good property management company etc.. 

I wouldn't want to have to mess around with getting financing or force my family out of a lovely sounding home after just a year or 2.Whether he's going to go for that remains to be seen.

Right now I am looking at adding a property in my own name and am debating whether to go commercial or conventional. 

@Lindsey Orr welcome to BP it's a great resource to investors like yourself. you are able to download both contracts here on BP by going into your tools tab then going to file place there you may search for the contract you desire.

If my long-term goal is to continue going bigger and bigger, perhaps doing a 1031 from that one into a better-performing one is the way to go.   

i see two options here 1) you can go back to dad and break it down as hey i cant close on the house until it's vacant and see if he can help in getting them out, 2) offer some moving expense if the lot is really that desirable to you I know not what you want to hear as the investor but it has worked on numerous occasions, 3) you will have to take it to the courts as final resolution so the sheriff can remove them.

I would suggest to find a local meet up in your area to find locals who are actively doing what you'd like to do, listen to the Bigger Pockets' podcasts if you are not already and to figure out what your preferences are (location, size/type of property, price range, desired ROI or cashflow, etc) so that you can start analyzing deals.