Lesson Learned: if it doesn't serve a purpose in your life, let it go early, move forward, and gain ground on purpose.Now, I find myself wanting to get serious and work a wealth-building model that will create wealth through passive income and long term asset growth by solving problems and meeting needs.My high level business model consists of flipping properties (wholesale & rehab) to generate cash down to purchase commercial and MFR properties with reduced financing balances to generate long-term positive cash flows.

My generation (millennials-largely the demo moving to NC) prefer to rent on the whole.

I guess now I need to start networking with wholesalers in other markets to capitalize on all the deals and leads I plan on generating. 

The goal is to start small and then invest in more multi-family homes (over time ) via house hacking each property until we can pyramid up into commercial apartments and eventually purchase our first home while generating passive income from our rental properties( we will continue to work in our current professions).

I'd like to accomplish two things in these five years: generate some cash flow to supplement my reduced salary, and invest in my retirement.All advice is welcome.

We have found it nearly impossible to buy a house being self employed at this time.

I believe a lot of this has to do with your employer and the rules they establish with the company that oversees your account.I do not know how the SDIRA's work, but I'm not sure they can loan you money in the same manner.

Instead set a goal to replace your employment income with investment income.If you do not presently have a job you have already reached your goal. 

So, it's hard to make a comparison.Were it me, I'd finish the flip, payoff my home, get a heloc on the primary and start looking for the next project.Selling the foreclosure will generate $150k before carrying & closing costs.

It also sounds as though you did not do an LLC and choose to be treated as a Sub S corp, so the income will also come to you as Earned Income, and will also be subject to Self Employment Tax (although you might have already paid the maximum).I applaud your decision to set up some kind of system before you do anything like this again.