Future rental income is not able to be used.Keep in mind that retirement assets (401K, IRA, etc) are eligible towards reserves, and so are any other investment accounts.Rental income is only used towards the income portion of qualifying, not towards assets.Hope that helps. 

How about Mat Sorensen who is top guru for all things IRA investing...look them up before you knock down Renatus and brand them a cult.

What I would recommend you do is call someone who sets up self directed IRA's, those people love these. 

Some owned are inside ROTH IRA'S so I will never pay or owe ANY tax or capital gains on the profits.Some are 1000% tax free profit, before adding in the accumulated tax free rental income, If you finding better investments, I'd love to hear the details.I tried to use a financial calculator once, it just got real hot and burst into flames.

I think I’d like to start investing in my Roth IRA which I have but haven’t contributed since I’ve bought the duplex back in September 22 but I’m trying to figure out my budget again because I’ve moved to Los Angeles to live with my gf.My reserves have definitely taken a hit so I’d like to build it back up and am hesitant to start contributing again until I can have a reserve for my real estate (thinking 6 months worth until I’m comfortable contributing to Roth again)Is this dumb?

You notice people still invest in IRAs, 401ks and stock portfolios?

Private lending or lending through a syndicated debt fund is better suited in a self-directed IRA/401k in my opinion. 

I BELIEVE it’s just a sticking point not a prohibited one like it is with self directed Ira’s.

A bit about me:I live in Portland, OR (which is quite expensive)I’m a first-time homebuyerI’m interested in the "small and mighty" approach to real estate investingI’m actively contributing to my 401(k), maxing out my Roth IRA, and have $30K in savings.

Find a lender willing to be in 2nd position or find family or friends willing to invest in your project---if they have IRAs, they can roll over into a self-directed and invest in your project.