They are not always happy about spending money, but thank me when I get a higher selling price than what they expected.

The same money could buy 1-2 full properties that would rent for more, depending on the market you choose. 

Pretty much think of a commercial loan process as a residential loan process backwards.Lenders do go off the income of the property, but they also do check out the purchaser...3 years tax returns and a personal financial statement. 

Do you want to be passive (ie give your $ to someone and they pay you interest, or you put the money for the opp and get equity, etc)3.

I am just beginning my journey as a wholesaler with zero money and zero knowledge.

I am about to graduate college in May 2025, and will be making about $120k (pre tax) in my full time job postgrad (Washington DC area).

Credit is a factor as bad credit may limit options, or may have the lender require you to put 10 or 20 years of taxes and insurance into escrow. 

We look at lenders (so long as they lend in the asset class you are considering) as an additional line of due diligence (they deeply care about their money and they are likely more sophisticated than you are).

I'm a local real estate broker, investor, and manager (100+ rentals, mostly Airbnb/STR and multifamily).House hacking is a tried-and-true method and in Sacramento you can produce some meaningful income while enjoying the appreciation and tax benefits of owning real estate.

@Pratik as @Neil Narayan mentioned, cash flow is very challenging due to the property values, property taxes, and soft rental market.