My goal is to acquire multiple properties in a given market over the next few years and remain active in that market as long as the market still makes sense...

Idiots with cash overpay and it prices out the smart investor.You'd have to acquire properties at the auction/sherif sale level. 

For context, (1) the property was in poor condition when I acquired it, and (2) I’m a passive real estate investor.Here are my expenses:- Travel (~$2,000) and meals during travel ($500)—I understand only 50% of meal costs are deductible.- Gardening maintenance (just to prevent the grass from getting too high, not an improvement).- In-year tax consultation ($300).- Commission to my buyer’s agent ($300).- Insurance premium ($1,000).- Insurance deductible following a claim ($1,000).I believe the property won’t begin to depreciate until it’s in service, which seems to align with how TurboTax is set up.

Then this week I read one of Mutual company's I use is buying what BITCOIN it Makes me think.169-Year-Old Insurer MassMutual Invests $100 Million In BitcoinDECEMBER 10, 2020 • OLGA KHARIFMassachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Co. has purchased $100 million in Bitcoin for its general investment fund, the latest mainstream firm to dabble in digit assets.The mutual insurer also acquired a $5 million minority equity stake in NYDIG, a subsidiary of Stone Ridge that provides cryptocurrency services to institutions, according to a statement.

Live in one unit and rent out the other to cover your mortgage, freeing up more cash.Partnering – Find a partner to help with funding or experience so you can acquire more properties faster.Creative Financing – Look into options like seller financing or lease options to reduce upfront costs and grow your portfolio quicker.Build Reserves – Make sure you have enough savings set aside for repairs or vacancies, especially with multiple properties.Once you’re out of debt, that extra $30-$40k per year will really help you expand.

Perhaps the conventional 5% down, but since I am self-employed and write everything off, I am being told that I would still need to put down 20% and provide a year's worth of bank statements to satisfy the underwriter.My question for the community is: does anyone have any ideas on how I might structure my first deal to acquire property number one?

I agree with Don that acquiring an interest in property without a title policy is short sighted. 

So yes, you can keep refinancing and acquiring properties without worrying about hitting a loan limit. 

I'm currently building up my reserves, and once that's in order, I'll be ready to acquire my first property.

I was helping some investors acquire properties and figured I could do better with a license.