The carrying costs are low, but tenant was making partial payments by month 2.

Cash flow is hard to come by and I have considered looking elsewhere in more affordable states.

The commission can vary by agent. 

Draft precise agreements outlining loan terms, manage risk by diversifying investments, and build relationships with real estate professionals.

That could be offset by having the deductions applied towards lower tax brackets. 

We were threatened by our rep that if we do not get the appraisal, they will pull all funding.

By calling this person a deal killer, people could interpret that as meaning they only kill deals.

You'll have a small empire by the time you are 30.However, being a landlord involves a lot more than just collecting checks.

Lenders may count eligible assets as additional qualifying income by dividing eligible assets by 60.🔹 Example in Action:Rental income: $9,000PITI: $9,500 → DSCR <1 (not qualifying)Using $63,000 in assets → Adds $1,045 in incomeNew DSCR >1 → Higher LTV (80% instead of 75%)🔹 Why This Matters:✅ Helps investors qualify for better financing✅ Increases borrowing power and flexibility✅ Allows you to scale your portfolio fasterUnderstanding financing tools like this can be a game-changer for investors looking to maximize opportunities.

You may be safe to get non-commercial F/F adding up to 2 ADUs to a duplex even though by rule this does not qualify (in my area I have never heard of this being an issue).