Yes, just like you claim depreciation on the use of your property, any company including an insurance company claim depreciation when they pay for your damage.

I've also launched a residential real estate painting company.

And I've heard good things about @Priti Donnelly's company, so not trying to undermine them. 

Can you be financially free, sure, consider if you are buying real estate you will no longer have stable income to get a loan.

DCSR Loan

He usually buys in C neighborhoods and has to do heavy rehab, but he's a construction guy that also runs his own property management company, so it's 2nd nature for him.

Pretty common, you can definitely use commission as down payment conventional loans and not have it count toward IPC as long as you're on the loan. 

Quote from @Jaikevis Reams: In order to put a property under contract I need to provide proof of funds I know that I can get that from a hard money lender but I don’t meet there criteria for a loan approval what should I do? 

Does anyone have any experience (or know someone or a company that might) be able to demo a concrete staircase Ana turn it into a driveway and ADU ramp ?

And if it's a high amount, would you be better off just using that as a downpayment and get a standard new investment loan?