If our main goal together is to acquire as many properties as possible as fast as possible - it feels like this leaves us with a smaller tax return, thus less capital to use to reinvest into new properties. 

I have heard alot of success stories where Bigger Pockets  was one of their main resources in achieving those Goals. 

The main monthly meeting is this Tuesday (Nov 12).

This is actually one of the main reasons many agents and investors may not like them generally speaking (they are often not serious professionals with a proven track record of success, the vast majority are struggling to find their first deal and are time-wasters to interact with).   

W2 employee in 2 full time jobs with the intent of investing in real estate to get some tax relief and generate cash flow. 

Now private lenders are my main purchase method, along with seller financing and BRRRR.

Only 1 was found through the MLS, but more recently that has become my main option.

A big thing the IRS looks at is intent, and renting it out for at least a year shows that you intended to use that property for investment.

I just bought a Lake House in Maine this past summer.

I think the main issue is believing that unsecured prom notes are Guaranteed. unless I saw the note and the note stated that ( which I highly doubt) the return of funds and payment of interest solely rests on the full faith and credit of what was invested in and the sponsor..