Which I totally get and think is ok many companies have a referral program.

I’m a real estate professional, and we benefit from tax strategies.Would you sell or keep renting?

You even graduated from IU so you have access to some awesome loan programs from IUCreditUnion.Keep your job and connections to buy a house, then rent out rooms to traveling nurses. 

Meet with brokers and other professionals in different asset classes.

However, you will need to find a seller that is willing to do this and it wouldn't be a bad idea to have a professional help guide you through this process.

We’re focused on building a strong network in San Antonio and its surrounding areas since our goal is to acquire two properties per year to enhance our portfolio.We’ll be in San Antonio next week or possibly the week after and would love to connect with local professionals—property managers, contractors, investors, lenders, and others.

Did you work with any real estate professionals (agents, lenders, etc.) that you'd recommend to others?

As a creative professional historically "allergic to math," I never thought I'd consider real estate investing, but life is full of surprises!

You could also explore other loan programs that work better with higher DTIs, or even pay down some of your current debt.

Don't hesitate to seek advice from experienced professionals and consider joining real estate forums or groups to connect with others on a similar path.