This will have to be out of state as I'm in California which is out of my budget.I've been poking around the forums, but haven't been able to find some spreadsheet / projection of how one can achieve financial independence via real-estate.

The return, which is easily achieved via a good syndication, is [almost] passive and would likely cover the interest payment on your mortgage and then some.

In single family housing, for the most part (unless the unit is in an HOA area), you are in charge of everything.I think you should only invest in apartments, if you own the whole building or can take charge of the HOA.Ive been investing in real estate full time for 5 years or so now, two of them in Indianapolis. happy to share more if you want.

Congratulations on your first deal and congratulations on shifting strategies mid-process to achieve your goals. 

This can get pretty costly, depending on how the unit is laid out.Did you have to provide the 1 hr separation when you did the side by side?

Most of the time a FHA 203K streamline loan is already low in rates and so if you're looking to cash out refi and get your initial investment out, you'll definitely need to buy at a nice discount to achieve that. 

I recently helped a buyer to get a brand new trailer home that was a double-wide and over 2,200 sq ft - 3 beds, 2 full baths, in a 55+ community for $147,000 with upgrades for a car port and central air.The unit I have under contract with a buyer in a different 55+ park is a manufactured home, also 3/2 with car port and central air at $179,900 - and it was built in 1985.If you're thinking of buying individual homes to rent to tenants, I'd consider a 55+ park on the theory that people that age will hopefully not be engaged in as many, shall we say, "youthful indiscretions".

You have nothing to do and you have less risk because you get paid based on the occupancy of the whole complex, not just your unit. I

Can you give me some info on how you achieved this?

YES, your lender will likely NOT approve your loan IF they know the 3rd unit is not "legal".