(we both continued working with comfortable salaries) but, after a year or so we were beginning to feel COMPLETELY lost.... we were in financial (but not debt) chaos.

And if you happen to screen poorly and install unfit tenants, that commute will continue to disrupt your life and your kids' lives.  

It's not bullet-proof, but it's as good as anything else.You can continue to hand-deliver documents to your accountant, but where does it end up?

It should allow you to move through a project quicker, would likely see you continuing to succeed in your W2 position, meeting your obligations at home, and just overseeing your projects (still putting your GC chops to use).

I have a significant budget to continue scaling my company, my question more so regards the cash I’ve been paying myself from the company.

I expect this to continue for a while.In the process of getting an average lot rent for the area.

Continued success on building your empire! 

Not sure if this may break the deal or not.I expect to run the management once I get the hang of it, for now happy to pay for the continuity of property management while I "figure it out" and eventually scale back the W2 job.Am I forgetting anything? 

This area continues to grow and I have met with other investors from CA looking to get into the market.

Continue to research, if you want, and look at all of the information out there that contradicts this one.Or, better yet, get with a competent real estate focused CPA or EA and have them explain it to you.