There's a bunch of ways to put your puzzle together that may benefit you.Like @Bill Brandt said, 45 days to identify and 180 days to close. 

The government knows that real estate investors are a piece of the puzzle, just like everyone else.

I been puzzled by credit disputes causing denials to loans, especially because I own my home and have bought close to a million dollars in home hopping in the last 9 years.

We have all the puzzle pieces but do not know exactly how they fit together.

Every deal is different and you need to value each piece of the puzzle.

That's why I was puzzled by my CPA's recommendation. 

I would just focus on getting 1 piece of the puzzle first.

This will dictate where you purchase and look for properties based on that number alone.My point is that you always start with the end in mind and work it backwards, this creates the strategy (Buy and hold, flip, Wholesale, Notes) which will be driven by the tactic (SFR, MFR, Mobile homes, Short term rental etc) I always coach people and explain that the property is actually the last piece of the puzzle not the first.Hope this helps

Right now the Dallas market is hot, but I am surprised why his properties are not selling...puzzled?

What advice do you have from those that have done this or other pieces to the puzzle I may be overlooking?