Rental income also sometimes has seasoning requirements before a lender wants to count it towards covering the debt you incurred.You don't mention how much income you will need to be financially independent.  

Every system you try will have flaws, or you may salivate over a feature that appears in other software.Some familiar names are mentioned frequently: Stessa, Apartments.com, RentRedi, TenantCloud, Innago, RentManager, Avail, Rentec Direct, Doorloop, etc.I recommend conducting thorough research on each app online to understand their offerings, pricing, etc.

As already mentioned, house hack would probably be the smartest and easiest way to start, you get to learn to be a landlord and homeowner all at the same time. 

If it's unable to be rented, a bridge type loan that Erik mentioned may be best bet.

As mentioned by @Bruce Lynn, Thailand is a great example.

I will say that some lenders will tell you what you want to hear and then it might not turn out quite the way they mention.

Every system you try will have flaws, or you may salivate over a feature that appears in other software.Some familiar names are mentioned frequently: Stessa, Apartments.com, RentRedi, TenantCloud, Innago, RentManager, Avail, Rentec Direct, Doorloop, etc.I recommend conducting thorough research on each app online to understand their offerings, pricing, etc.

You mentioned UBIT in the subject so I assume you are aware of it and that you probably  will be subject to it if you do a number of flips year.4.

Hot tubs are not a big draw here, but necessary in mountains IMO.The few times Ive been in NOLA (excluding Katrina with the Army :/) I did not feel like I needed a pool, nevertheless a hot tub.I would find the data and let the numbers guide you, but Im thinking maybe a plunge pool as mentioned above.

Depending on the facts and circumstances of the agreement, it could either be treated either1) the sale occurs as of the original agreement date, and then your taxable gain is generally spread out over the life of the principal payments as an installment sale (although I should mention any depreciation you've taken on your property could affect this), or2) the sale does not occur until the lease option is exercised, and gain reported at that time.