Option 4: 20% down on 2 to 3 properties Also open to hear other ideas, I'm self employed so getting a lender can be a bit more difficult.

At one point my Brokerage employed over 70 Agents and trust me, those stats track.So when a company starts advertising on my show, or an Agent starts working at my Brokerage I can usually if they'll make it long term or if they'll flame out.

I'm self-employed and did not know if my business was going to be shut down due to the virus.

My advice would be to shop for a PMC as an employer the same way you would if you were a landlord. 

TurboTax has rental property features, and the IRS has a great guide on rental income, deductions, and recordkeeping - IRS Rental Property Tax Guide.https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/tips-on-rental-real-estate-income-deductions-and-recordkeeping2.

So when I have paid rent, less the credit, they failed to contact myself nor the owners and employed these harsh scare tactics against me.

What percentage of gross revenue does an owner typically keep if they do employ a property manager?

Tenants can only pay rent if they are employed at similar wages.

Be sure to: call & verify employment references, request pay stubs to confirm income & check rental history by contacting the previous landlords.Keep the momentum going!

Areas like Downtown, Summerville, and West Augusta are particularly desirable due to their proximity to amenities, universities, and employment centers.In terms of your preferred strategies, it would be helpful to know what type of lending you plan to use.