Funding for Long Term Rentals - Self-Employed

[Daniel Dambrosio]

I am a real estate investor who is getting more into buy and hold rentals.  Being self-employed, I try to legally write off everything I can to reduce my taxable income.  That said, it seems that funding options are limited to private and hard money without showing taxes with a high(er) income.  Would it make more sense to: 

1. Purposely forgo legal tax write offs to show higher income and then more easily qualify for conventional financing, at lower rates and better terms OR
2. Keep taxes as low as legally possible and seek alternative funding via private or hard money, typically at much higher rates OR
3. Is there a 3rd alternative I'm not thinking about... like credit unions

Would greatly appreciate to get your perspective on this.  

Thank  you!!!