There are types of deductible debt: - Acquisition debt (a loan to directly acquire an asset)-Renovation loan (loan against an asset, used to renovate that asset)-Replacement debt (a loan which is a refinanced replacement of an initial qualifying replacement). 

Another focused on National Realty Investment Advisors, a New Jersey-based firm with a big Philadelphia property-development footprint that promises large returns to investors on national TV and radio ads.

Eliminate debt, establish a budget, and save.

I have mixed feelings about it, so we'll see where that goes.Fortunately over the last 6 months we have been able to pay off a decent portion of the debt, so things are starting to look up. 

The devastated community might take years to recover (or never recover), but your costs will continue (debt service, taxes, insurance, utilities, etc.).Meeting the above financial independence requirements depends on the city where you invest.

My initial plan had been to do something like Rent-to-Retirement or REI Nation- assuming that I'd be leaving money on the table to pay for their expertise, but hoping that I would learn through the process and develop the confidence to strike out on my own later. 

So is this just as simple as showing how much the property makes or do they also look at personal debt to income, credit score, reserves etc as well.

Rent in Lima, OH has experienced a 29% annual growth but is still 53% lower than the national avg. along with the median house price!!

In most cases, cash flow is already tight, and adding debt could put extra strain on your returns.

I also have no W2 and possibly one of the highest debt to income ratios in the country.