@Cody Baum - Can you become an investor focused agent and get practice in real estate without it being your own money? 

The theory is spot on, in practice however that logic rarely plays out - at least in recent years where multifamily has been crazy.

Because you're new, it is a good idea to ask about the brokerage's agent training offerings and potential teams to join to get experience. 

The crypto can be considered as EMD or down payment, the rest of the transaction will happen just as if you were running a traditional transaction.If a seller is completely against the idea of receiving crypto, you can always use a service like Bitpay to convert the cryptocurrency to cash.Last but not least, I always ask clients... why sell your crypto asset when you use it to secure a loan?

There is a formula that you must follow if you want to perform, having a realtor who knows the market inside and out and practices what they preach is an absolute necessity. 

The camera idea is a good one.

Maybe an outside the box idea would be to try to force some equity by making some improvements in the house you live in.

Its also a good idea to keep any receipts (I use a google drive folder, they have a scan function that makes uploading receipts a breeze)

In most cases, I don't recommend renting out your primary residence especially if you have no rental experience and that is because usually your primary residence was bought without the idea of renting it out.  

So the whole idea that $109mnth is some "big incentive" to do nothing is just FAKE-NEWS.