House hacking would enable you to have a lower downpayment %, plus lowers the reserve requirement to 1-2 months. 

In my opinion, a real estate license will enable me to work as a bird dog, making commission on every referral that I do.

(I have none right now) I've found out that my business expenses on my tax detail from last year were a bit too high to enable an approval to refinance.

We are in cash even though there is no return today cash enables you to quickly take advantage of an opportunity if one arises.

They are not yet in foreclosure as far as I know, and I don't know at what point they'd go into foreclosure, but surely they cannot continue to live in the house without paying taxes and have there be no consequences.My wife and I have advised her mother not to pay the back taxes on the house again, because that would only enable the "ingrates" (as my wife calls them) to continue on as they are, and my mother-in-law is retired and on a fixed income, and she simply can't keep forking over a couple of thousand dollars every couple years to prevent the loss of her family home.So.

If no acceptable bids are placed during that period, it will enter the Extended period which enables investors to bid on the property. 

When you do this, she will be able to help you construct a plan that will enable you to reach your short-term goals and reap benefits that will provide the resources you'll need (and want) to reach your long-term goals.

Here are my two cents (from the mortgage side of things):Approaching a mortgage broker will give you this benefit: he/she will ask you to share your short- and long-term goals with him/her so the two of you can come up with a plan/path that will enable you to achieve your short-term goals that will result in obtaining the resources you'll need to then pursue your long-term goals.  

I'm JT, and I'm a musician who's been living in Nashville for about 3 years now.

Like you say, you want properties that will pay for themselves right now, and understanding the expenses and buying at the right price will enable that.There are threads that talk about creative ways to acquire properties that don't require much cash.