Your mortgage on your personal home also counts against your DTI, as do (I am assuming) car payments and any other recurring debt payment.The good news is that if you invest wisely, in a few years you shouldn't have a problem coming up with the DP if you reinvest the cashflow from your current properties, and they will also help your DTI ratio to allow you to continue to borrow (leverage!)

Of course then life happened, my husband started his own business, we had our first son in 2002 and I remained working full time for the stability and insurance of our growing family.I have remained in the manufacturing industry for 17+ years, but now that I am divorced with three kids, I want to get back to my goals and work toward building a recurring income while being able to spend more time with my kids.

A 1920's building either requires a solid rehab/gut or a lot of recurring maintenance.  

We found some great ways to structure the deal for lump sump, up front profit, and for recurring cash flow.

I want to make recurring deposits to this account while I am overseas for 1 year.

I use erentpayment (one of the more expensive at $3) and the tenants can setup recurring payments on certain dates rather than having to mail a check or drive to a bank.

We don't take money upfront for commercial clients or for recurring services with our maintenance company like snow & grass but any CAP EX improvement on a residential property will require a 50% deposit that goes into escrow until the job is complete. 

Tenant is responsible for grass and snow removal since these are recurring and is the norm for my area. 

Great way to get your feet wet without the uncertainty of income and initial upfront  (and recurring, it does cost money to maintain a license) cost.With the debt you mentioned, I'd be hesitant to add to the pile and would instead start grinding away at it with guaranteed income and side-work.

I'd like do a lot of repairs/clean up so I can rent it out for $700 instead of $450.I find this is a recurring problem when I buy new properties.... however it's difficult because the units are currently occupied.