Any recommendations on funding streams?

Commercial deals take longer than residential so you can starve between closings with no small stream of income in between.

My initial goal is to create an additional income stream since my wife stays at home and want some protection in case I have employment issues/laid off.

I have thus starting looking into creating an additional income stream from real estate as being a better alternative.

Leaving the cash in the project still wouldn't be a bad return, but it's much prettier to cash out 60% and have no money in the deal with an income stream and a 40% equity stake.

If I purchase and rehab a property for $60k and it appraises for $100k one would think I shouldn't have a problem obtaining a conventional loan on it or do I need financially qualify to cover each conventional loan regardless of the properties income stream?

My business (I'm self-employed) has gone under and I don't have an income stream right now.

In either case, their ability to deliver what they say, matters.Of the companies you are considering, I think it is very important that they deliver as promised, don't change the terms mid stream, and are clear in their requirements.

Yes I have seen section 8 be in a constant flux of change.If the tenants income increases then section 8 adjusts the voucher amount.Also here you can list in the lease that the tenant pays a certain amount of utilities and that is fine.Some section 8 areas they will pay 800 for a 2 bed but then all of a sudden readjust to start only paying 700 which is not market value.These section 8 tenants never make up the difference from what I have seen.So you accept the lower rent or evict them and get a regular tenant for 1,200 more a year in cash flow.I don't know with the election and many government programs in flux how stable section 8 is currently.Might be a bad decision to base many of your renters off of that income stream.

For me REI isn't about quitting my day job tomorrow (though I wouldn't mind that eventually), but to retire early with sufficient revenue streams to support an active lifestyle.