Also, do your own evaluation of the properties, do not take their numbers without checking.Thanks for the tips!

Any tips for properly running the numbers for both?

I don’t get to meet and discuss my expectations with a contractor face-to-face, though my PM probably does a better job than I would do.Here are some tips that I’d highly recommend for starters or those who are on their way but still a newbie like me:Find a broker who is also going to manager your properties.

What would you do differently, and any tips on speaking with sellers directly?

After that I will likely reduce the 401k to 4% and contribute a high percentage to the a Roth IRA to take advantage how powerful the compounding interest is at my age, like you suggested.Thanks for the tip on the store credit card. 

@Aaron K. excellent, and yeah good tip.

The only language I see is:"Borrower will not, without the prior written consent of SBA, make any distribution of borrower's assets, or give any preferential treatment, make any advance, directly or indirectly, by way of loan, gift, bonus, or otherwise, to any owner or partner or any of its employees, or to any company directly or indirectly controlling or affiliated with or controlled by borrower, or any other companies"

Really appreciate the tip

I was wondering if anyone has any tips on what areas I should be looking into.

Thanks for the tips!