Since our goal is to scale in real estate and we do have the funds, we would prefer to minimize the deposits and invest into reno where necessary and keep the capital for now for improvements, if they arise.

It's very thoughtfully designed specifically for real estate investors by real estate investors so it doesn't have features you don't need and won't use.

I have been fascinated with real estate, and investing! 

We have a good CPA who is a real estate investor.

Commercial real estate is in real trouble, banks & commercial lending outfits will not touch mixed use.

I understand that the beneficiaries of the estate didn't want anything to do with operating commercial real estate, so it was just left to fail.

Start by reading the Ultimate Real Estate Investing Guide: https://www.biggerpockets.com/guides/ultimate-real-estate-investing-guide/introduction2.

Reach out to a few and see who you like.You can also ask members of your local real estate investors association for real estate accountant recommendations.Good luck.

After that year, you can move and purchase another property with an owner-occupied loan, as long as you intend to live in the new property as your primary residence.

Congrats at already looking at real estate as an investment vehicle!