I can come up with 10k cash (willing to pull from my after-tax contributions to my Roth IRA) and I can take about another $50K from a backdoor IRA rollover from my prior employer's 401(k), but I'd rather not do that.

Contributions to a 401(k) top out at a whopping $69k for 2024.2) If you would be materially participating in the Rental Operations of a rental property, consider acquiring rental properties and performing cost segregation. 

Thank you for contributing here, @Dave Poeppelmeier.

I do believe there is merit in following simple best practices that have asset protection as a side benefit:  1) Taking out large mortgages on properties to minimize equity; 2) Having adequate liability insurance; 3) Contributing assets to retirement plans and other protected vehicles; 4) Dividing ownership of family assets between yourself, your spouse, and your children; and, especially, 5) Running an honest business and treating people fairly.  

But I'm a little bothered by the notion of the "heartless", "egregious" etc. comments about the raise. 

I always had the notion that anyone can learn anything if they just take the time and do their own training and research.....

When looking for a SFH there's several factors to contribute to a great rental rate: Location, Condition, Time of Year, Functionality, City Cert requirements needed (if applicable).I absolutely wish that I could 'Turn back the clock' and do house hacking and jump into real estate investing that way...so many great benefits!

It is now going to May and I haven't   received money towards the mortgage and i even contributed to the utilities (silly me not wanting to get in trouble).

Rather than writing the loan off, having 20,000+ less to lend and have it take 3 years to put it back yourself via ROTH contribution limits (7k/year), can someone else pay the loan back for the borrower?  

The money is just as good as technical fields and you can actually do / build / contribute something to the world.