Also, if your wife and her parents were the real estate investors first, why aren't they weighing in? 

There are several different types of income in the US tax code.Two main types are “active income” and “passive income".Active income is money you earn from working, such as wages from a W-2 job or income from running a business.Passive income is money you earn from investments like real estate, stocks, or rental income from your RE portfolio where you earn $ without actively working.Normally, you can't use passive losses (like losses from real estate investments) to offset active income like your salary from a W-2 job.That is unless you are an RE Pro.The reality is, that Real Estate Pro status is just a filing status similar to filing married or jointly.And if you are a real estate professional you CAN use passive real estate losses to offset active income from other sources.To qualify as an RE Pro you must:1.

You can also check meetup.com or search Facebook for real estate investment groups, clubs, or meetings in your area.

From that point, assuming another $500/mo, you'd then have 36k in 1.5 years, and so on.Also, real estate allows for much better tax benefits, debt retirement, and appreciation opportunities (as well as increasing rent over the years).Well what'dya know.

Look for sponsors that have been in the real estate industry thru several economic and market cycles.

Many lenders allow for low-down-payment options if the rental income covers the loan.You’re approaching this deal thoughtfully, but be sure to communicate the benefits of your offers clearly to overcome resistance from the seller's representative.

Quote from @Neil Clooney: Hi,Does anyone have any advice on real estate mentorship programs.

Quote from @Mohan Sadashivaiah: I would like to know if Data analysis in needed in Real Estate industry.

Section 8 is has the benefit of guaranteed payments by the government.

A strong partnership benefits both parties.Happy vendors are more likely to prioritize your jobs and provide high-quality service, benefiting both tenants and owners.Balancing Stakeholder NeedsBalancing these relationships requires a strategic approach:1.Standardized Processes: Implement systems that ensure consistency and efficiency in addressing maintenance requests, approvals, and payments.2.Transparency: Use technology, like owner and tenant portals, to provide real-time updates and visibility into ongoing issues.3.Regular Communication: Maintain open lines of communication with all stakeholders.