Loan options with no job, but cash on hand

[Jeff DiMarco]

I left my job last year after realizing a large gain in crypto in order to figure out a better way to spend my time. I decided I'd like to focus on real estate investing in order to preserve wealth and build cash flow. The strategy I'm looking to focus on is buy and hold SFRs, starting out in the 100k-200k range in my hometown in Maryland. Unfortunately, I realized this after I dropped my W-2, so I'm curious about any ideas/types of lenders that would help me finance. I bank with Schwab and they partner with Rocket Mortgage, so I gave them a call. It turns out they will not lend to me even after considering ~2mm in assets that they could use as a "depletion income". I was thinking of three more options:

1) Buy a couple properties with cash this year in order to produce an income on next year's tax returns to satisfy a lot of lenders. The downside is obviously that it locks up tons of cash

2) Apply for an investment loan with my fiancee

3) Find a lender that considers cash and equivalents to secure an investment mortgage.

I'm curious if anyone has any experience/advice for a cash-heavy, but job-less situation