I recently got hired at a stereotypical office job that very quickly made me realize how much I crave financial independence.

A lot of properties would be still occupied by previous owners and/or tenants and you won’t be able to go in even after you get your deed recorded (about 6-8 weeks after you make full payment).

I guess I’m mainly wondering if fix and flips will get me to financial freedom faster than rentals?

The same money spent on MFR out of state at the time would have netted me a much greater financial benefit. 

I consider that to be a very naive and kind of a lazy way of doing financial calculations.So I really would suggest all Investors do at least a 10 year pro-forma projection business plan.

I'm 26, and working to get the life I want to live happily, financially free, and to the standard I uphold myself to through Real Estate!

You have to know how to read financial statements so you can begin to recognize a problem when it starts. 

AND then tell them once an eviction is on your record , most all landlords wont rent to you .  

I would not do an unsecured loan in an IRA unless you know the borrower really really well and have track record. 

Since 1975, prices have only dropped twice -- once in the mid-80s when the oil-centric Denver market was hit by the drop in oil prices; and a second time in the aftermath of the 2007-08 financial crisis.Now is a tricky time to sell.