The equity along with my $100k in personal cash provide means to get stared on my path to financial freedom.

Has anyone else experienced this, and can someone tell me what type of institution I should be approaching?  

There are many investors who's goal is different which is to focus on cash flow but those investors are probably doing well financially.

There plenty of other opportunities elsewhere, my clients are involved in institutional grade properties across the country.

It all depends on your financial goals and how you want your portfolio looking 5-6 yrs from now. 

#1 or #3 make financial scenes.

If you want to help her out financially, this is not the way to do it.Now to specifically answer your question.

As a general rule (as I have been told by financial advisors), you should not put money into the stock market unless you are planning on leaving f it there for 5 years.If your investment is 3 years off, I would consider investment in a note fund that has a 3 year maturity.

For me (and my personal struggles) I found military schooling to be very financially challenging when it really shouldnt be.

However, you may have a hard time finding a seller who will take second lien because they potentially end up with nothing (not even a property) if your financial situation goes belly up.