Think of property expenses as the property’s money—not your own.

If doing a light rehab depending on the scenario sometimes an inspection is good if planning for just a cosmetic not to have any surprises later in the project 

Good luck with your real estate plan! 

I  did say i am planning to sell my business to free up some capital.

My plan is to start with house hacking, but I have some concerns.

My first reaction to your post is if you're purchasing assets that are throwing off positive cash but your DTI is going up then it may be time to re-evaluate the type of assets or the expenses associated with those assets.  2.

Be sure to have the gas, water and sewer lines inspected as these may be dug up or collapsed - and very expensive to replace/repair.

I did an expensive $40,000 education program.

And don’t underestimate the power of direct outreach; some sellers may be more flexible if you present a clear, structured plan for partnership or financing.

This allows you to report the rental income and expenses directly on Schedule E of your joint tax return, simplifying your tax filing process.