To log my thoughts:Multi-Family clearly seems the way to go.5+ buildings sound like they need to be more self-sustaining, so that seems like the way to go.

If you have any questions about the possibilities in Connecticut, just give me a shout.Good success, and welcome to BP!

I’ve read and heard some people have great success with foreclosed homes.

David Song I wouldn't be surprised .. but these big jumps in price can't be sustainable forever .When do you believe there will be a downturn in the Bay Area?

I focus on vacant land and have had great success but I would like to dip my toes in the housing market by acquiring a multifamily property. 

Those success stories are few & far between and they "normally" don't do it as quickly as portrayed.This is not to discourage you, but to give you a dose of reality.

But my purpose for the post was to get feedback from investors who have seen success.

My business partner and I designed our own cards, printed them out and wrote handwritten notes to everyone that has positively influenced us and contributed to our success!

Yet, after listening to you it almost seems like we should be searching out other deals and getting money from private people as early as possible.Much like you I have a little experience in construction from my college days (working for a contractor on my days off from school and over summers but I'm not a craftsmen), so there is a small advantage there, but ultimately it sounds like if I want to get to that "freedom number" faster, or at least earlier, I'm going to have to figure out how to scale.I'm under no delusions that I am an expert after one deal, but I thought that after doing 2-3 deals and making them successful we would then have the creditably to get loans from others to really acquire some volume. 

Like you, I have passion for this business, but that isn’t a guarantee of success.