@Jay Fayz Do you have a source of regular income? 

If the property manager uses a payment app integrated with the property management software to collect rent for the landlord, this is not gross income for the property manager.

Our instincts are to eventually rent it and use the income for payment assistance on a new home mortgage.

Rental income and expenses, such as mortgage interest, property taxes, repairs, and depreciation, can be reported on Schedule E of your personal tax return, regardless of ownership structure. 

The rental income from the first home will pay for the mortgage/monthly costs.  

@John Zhang If your wife qualifies for Real Estate Professional Status (REPS) and materially participates in managing rental properties, there is no limit on the amount of rental losses, including depreciation, that can offset your W-2 income.

@Zach Howard there are a few loan types here in the states for foreign nationals, some that require personal income verification and others that do not.

It's easier to scale with multifamily properties due to income potential and operations.

But in reality, for younger people with moderate income, I actually see less benefit to financial planning.  

For example, I mention that every adult must pay a $30 application fee, pass my credit/criminal background, make a combined income of 3x the rent, and whether or not the property accepts pets.