So I put $1600 on a credit card for a down payment and then pay $500 a month until the full amount was paid off.

I don't take credit cards but I believe stripe does.   

You would borrow against the equity at 7% or more, then use the money to pay off a credit card?

The teacher was an actual financial educator but they repeated themselves a lot and were telling the students to go in and apply for credit cards DURING the course to purchase the next course for $15,000!

Dedicate one checking account and credit card exclusively to real estate.

This will get you the name on the dog on record designating that specific animal as their ESA.Good idea -- AND ask for additional rent/deposit, unless there is some legislation forbidding it for a properly registered service animal.My humble opinion, all this "emotional support" stuff is simply BS so they can take their precious animals everywhere they go and not have pay extra.

The guru your son is learning this technique from is likely not telling your son that the deal will almost certainly encourage your son to get an "off-market" deal from a "wholesaler" who is unlikely to properly disclose the details of the property or encourage an inspection. 

For the community development dept, you'll need proper plans (architect), site survey, permits, etc. when you're ready. 

Conclusion: Don´t give your credit card infos for "free" products!!!

They look at your credit profile and get you business lines of credit and credit cards.