It may seem easy to jack up rent but there is something to be said about good, on-time paying tenants.As an accountant, I always rely on the numbers.

Look for safe accounts that pay good interest or dividends to grow your security.

Two, you'll have a much easier time obtaining a mortgage product if you have a track record of W2 income.In the meantime, continue implementing the strategies you mentioned: save religiously, build your credit, pay any existing debt owed, etc.

To be fair, I've encountered situations where the Section 8 rent received was higher than what cash paying tenants were paying.

I'm sorry, I dont pay you to be rude!

While I don't believe that you need a full blown business plan, strict operational budget, timeline, scrum board, etc...

Dig deep into tax strategy, tax efficiency, etc  Learn about estate planning. 

Credit, jobs, income, age, married, plans for future all this matters.

Flips have done good not great, Air Bnbs are going good not great, and rentals all were brrrr'd perfectly but like most cash flow just enough to pay the bills and cover expenses.

Expect to remodel kitchen and baths and put new floors down, paint, knock down a wall to open the floor plan.