Another old buddy in San Antonio picked up a modest fourplex a few years back, and while it never turned into a headline-worthy success, those steady rent checks stacked up over time as local employers brought in fresh workers.

Foreign national loans allow people outside of the US to purchase properties here, and they can be done as a DSCR loan, meaning they don't require employment history, income or DTI.

Self employed is a costly endeavor.

For his coaching he advertises that his coaches are paying members who are independent contractors & not employed by REtipster & that you are encouraged to evaluate them & determine their suitability for your needs.

I then look at area vacancies, economic conditions, employment opportunities, area demographics and verify that the property has not been red tagged or have any other underlying problems that might make it difficult to resell or rent.When I have my financial information then I can consider debt service and costs related to equity partners in the overall income produced.

If you invest into an area that has strong growth and good employment numbers it can overcome many other Cons.  

If your student loans are only 3-5% interest, that's pretty good so I think it's okay to pay those off over time.It sounds like you're making good income with your current employer and there is room to grow, so I'd plan to stay with that job until you can pay your high interest loans off and save enough for a down payment for your first property.

Low crime, steady employment opportunities in the surrounding areas as well as Appleton. 

THAT will, at some future date - about four years or so, put you in position to employ the mortgage acceleration strategy.If you have too much month left at the end of the money, well, there ARE debt reduction strategies available to help that at the expense of your credit rating - WITHOUT bankruptcy.

My employer never had such a requirement.