I have a nearly perfect credit score and I'm gambling on that for my first project.

I also give credit to Bigger Pockets for helping us with our investment strategy, knowledge, and confidence when it comes to rental properties.  

However, if this total income number is negative it will count against you like any other liability would (think car loan or other mortgages with no rental income or credit card min monthly payments/etc) against your DTI.DTI is typically maxed out around 45-50%, so half of your monthly figure so if you make 10,000 gross per month your max liability at @50% DTI is 5000 a month max payment.

The virtual credit card feature is also really slick.

If you work with a local community bank or credit union or some lender that doesn't sell to Fannie/Freddie in the secondary market, their guidelines and pricing could be different on this matter. 

Here's some guidance on buying your first investment property in Southern California or Columbus, Ohio:Down payment:For investment properties, lenders typically require 15-30% down payment on your first investment15% down is possible with excellent credit (700+ score)20-25% down is more common, especially for multi-unit propertiesSection 8 considerations:Pros:Guaranteed portion of rent from governmentPotential for longer-term tenantsMay be easier to fill vacancies in some areasCons:More paperwork and inspections requiredRent amounts set by local housing authorityPotential property damage concernsOther tips:Research local markets carefully - price trends, rental rates, etc.Factor in all costs - taxes, insurance, maintenance, vacanciesConsider starting with a single-family home or small multi-unitBuild a team - real estate agent, property manager, contractorsHave cash reserves beyond just the down paymentUnderstand landlord-tenant laws in your chosen locationI'd recommend talking to local real estate agents in both areas to get more specific market insights.

There are properties that probably have 2X-3X the cash flow my properties have and are comparable in price but given their location and tenant history attract a much worse group of tenants and have much higher expense ratio relative to repairs and maintenance and general wear and tear on the property because of the type of tenants they attract.

The Holding Fee is ONLY credited to their lease upon MoveIn.

Right now, I'm pretty suspicious.The good news is that her credit score is over 750, and I usually want over 700. 

Last, there are a ton of unsecured loan options for you if you have decent credit (usually 700+) and low credit card utilization (under 30%).