Having a decent place for our kids to live, and getting a property the will add to our retirement income.

If you are willing to explore those drastic changes - sure, an experienced tax professional like myself and my colleagues on this forum can help.But if you're hoping that somebody will teach you "secrets" of how to reduce your taxes in your CURRENT (W2/LTR) situation - there're none, outside of general tax planning like maximizing your retirement contributions etc.

Not looking for maximum doors, just 5-10 properties to RE-FI (Retire Early and some Financial Independance). 

He further promised that NCM was to be a “hands-off passive investment,” perfect for retirement funds, according to the information.Santarelli also provided balance sheets to investors listing the status of the assets, liabilities, and equity of NCM to the note holders, which listed the total asset value between $143.3 million and $224 million.

I have a lucky enough to have a good amount of leftover income and I am interested in putting it to use in real estate rather than putting it all in a retirement account.

Can we combine the DST strategy with retirement vehicles (Solo 401k, SEP IRA, Traditional IRA) to shelter more of the proceeds, or are   those completely separate lanes?

She’s wanted to fix up and sell the house for a while now as she’s retiring.

If think you are retiring on any one deal, you are probably in the wrong business.  

I'm not a fan of using my primary residence or retirement accounts for business or consumption items.

Look at your friend who "retired" and is now bored.