Generally you want higher income two years before you apply for financing, so you could change your tax strategies depending on which years you need a loan.The most interesting real estate tax tactics to me are the 1031 and cost-segregation depreciation.Also, as a retail business owner, you can qualify for some SBA financing that will allow you to owner-operate commercial real estate to where you could run your store in a building while renting out some of it at the same time to generate that income.And for commercial you can use the income from the target property to help your income.

-bought for 180K-conservative value today 250K (potential net from sale - 50K)-conservative potential rent - 2000 / mo (potential net monthly cashflow - $800 /mo-currently a small pocket neighborhood with no through streets that feeds into a great elementary school and good middle-high school "Problems:"-our street, currently a dead end is about to become a through street that will become a major shortcut for another 300 or so house development to our West to get to the highway and the grocery store.

You can find several products that can be attached to a window which creates a second egress (think emergency rope ladder) these are cost effective and can be stored in a case as to not be messed with.

The big box stores have shrugged their collective shoulders.

Some of the bigger/contractor oriented Ace hardware stores could also have, or be able to order the drive bits with about a 2 day delivery.

Looking for a place in Atlanta where I may be able to purchase brand name new appliances for wholesale prices - or at least at price points lower than the usual big box stores.

Some post offices have closed altogether and is using a rural gas station/store as a substitute.

You could also apply for one or two store credit cards.  

I would check out some of these (https://www.biggerpockets.com/store) and "Rich Dad, Poor Dad."

They have a website and brick and mortar store in Milwaukee.