For quick math I have a range of each between: 700/yr to 3% of gross income

Different DSCR lenders have different guidelines.More on DSCR loans: DSCR loans won't use your income to underwrite the loan. 

New agents may struggle with periods of no income while waiting for deals to close.Solution: Budget wisely, build a financial cushion, and prepare for slow months.

Long story short, you spend a month cleaning and renovating, then you find a new tenant after just 15 days.In total, you lost three months of rent income ($3,000) plus paying utilities ($500).

I do have monthly mortgages to be paid and not having rental income to offset my negative cash flow has been a learning experience and really trying to think of what options I have to have better success at this.

Not a rookie - While I have never purchased a home without an agent, I have purchased two homes in the last fifteen years in Denver and, at some point, managed both with some form of rental income, plus helping my mom manage the independent basement apartment in her home.

(Especially a 2-4 unit.)Do they have friends/relatives/co-workers that would rent rooms from them if they bought a property to show more income?

Last thought (mainly for future readers), you may be talking about the 1 year FHA history if you have variable income.

Thanks everyone.Annual T4 income: 250K380K in liquid investments.Principle property est. valued at 670K with 250k left owing and 155K heloc attached.Rental 1: purchased 2021 for 220K current est. value at 270K was a house hack with 5% down and $1600 monthly rental income.Rental 2: purchased 2022 for 280K 20% down current est. value 345K rental is $2000 monthly Rental 3: purchased 2023 for 267K with 20% current est value 310K rents for 2100 a month.

My plan for this year is improve my credit, get my real estate license (to increase my income on top of my W-2), possibly career transition into the property management space (to learn more), and save as much as possible and learn as much as I can.I’d love to house hack close to home but my area is so expensive it seems like it’d be close to impossible.