I love that you have specific goals for 2025 - I believe if we think it, write it, say it, and share it our goals are 10x more likely to come to fruition.Are you able to do option 2 and just house hack a 2-4 unit building and use a renovation loan which allows you to put down 3.5-5%I highly suggest getting to some local chicago meetup groups (we have an in person one on the 17th)...here is BPs list: https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/521-real-estate-events-...I also have a full list of the chicago meetups that I can share with you too if that'd be helpful.

They are arbitraging your house… believing they can rent it for more as an Airbnb.  

When they believe you can get things done they will bring you the deal first.

If I may, let me offer some tactical advice and then some unsolicited general advice.Tactical advice: marketing to traveling oil industry workers probably isn't radically different than what you have been doing to get your rooms filled with students.

Having lived in IN for 8 years before moving to Austin TX, I believe this city offers great opportunity now and much potential.

I believe transparency and integrity are the foundations of any good business, and it's refreshing to see others are aligned with that mindset and practice as well.

Fearless Forecast: I've written extensively about the wonders of the Oregon Coast, including why I migrated north and why I believe many others will continue to follow.

Not sure which way to turn.Thanks,David I believe banks prefer a W2 over a 1099 as it is typically more consistent income where you have an annual salary or paid rate of hours that is more consistent.

This leads us to believe in dumb, dumb things.

She has some stock (maybe 50k), some retirement IRA of around 100k which I believe she has started to take and then maybe 20k in her savings account.