@Tove Fox - Residential Real Estate InvestingPros:Lower Entry Costs: Easier to get started with less capital required.High Demand: People always need homes, making demand relatively stable.Easier Financing: Mortgages are generally easier to secure with favorable terms.Simplicity: Easier to understand and manage, especially for beginners.Flexibility: You can use it as a personal residence or rent it out.Cons:Tenant Turnover: More frequent turnover leads to vacancy and more management.Lower Cash Flow: Income potential can be modest compared to commercial properties.Emotional Buyers: Residential prices can be influenced by emotions, leading to price volatility.Maintenance Burden: Landlords often deal with repairs and maintenance, which can be time-consuming.Commercial Real Estate InvestingPros:Higher Income Potential: Stronger cash flow and higher returns are common.Long-Term Leases: Tenants often sign longer leases (3-10 years), reducing vacancy risk.Professional Tenants: Business tenants tend to take better care of the property.Valuation Based on Income: Prices are based on the income the property generates, not market emotions.Shared Costs: Tenants often cover property expenses like taxes, insurance, and maintenance (via triple-net leases).Cons:High Entry Costs: Requires more capital or partnerships to get started.Complex Management: More expertise is needed; you may need a professional property manager.Economic Sensitivity: Commercial properties are more sensitive to economic conditions.Challenging Financing: Securing financing can be harder, with stricter terms and higher interest rates.Zoning and Legalities: More complex regulations compared to residential properties.Key Differences:Risk: Residential tends to be lower risk, while commercial offers higher rewards but with greater risk.Management: Residential is easier for DIY investors, while commercial properties usually require a team.Scalability: Commercial properties are easier to scale, offering more potential for significant cash flow increases.

See what qualifications people are looking for and do what you have to in the meantime to produce income while you're studying. 

STR income: $130K/year.

Remember, if you decide to sell in a few years, any bonus depreciation comes back as ordinary income. 

The interest on the rental is an offset to rental income, and is by definition deducted from your taxes.A 4% interest rate on a primary is like a 4.88% after rate for a taxpayer in the 22% federal tax bracket, or higher if in a state with state income taxes. 

STRs generally produce more income than LTRs, but they are more work.

Whether you're looking for short-term rentals, long-term rentals, or fix-and-flips, Florida has something to offer.Favorable Tax Environment: Florida boasts no state income tax, making it an attractive option for investors looking to maximize their returns.Year-Round Appeal: Unlike seasonal markets, Florida offers consistent rental demand year-round.

If you love property management and want to start a business keep looking into it.Otherwise keep buying income producing properties to generate wealth.

Asset manager role would be to give advice on property that could be value added and increase the income on a property by small or big tweaks.

I doubt he'll be able to quality for a loan (VA) with just his income.