You need income to qualify for loans, you can learn how to manage rentals well (something most landlords never do), you will figure out which communities/properties make the best investments, can earn an above-average paycheck, and may even find some investment properties before they hit the market.

@Chase AlexanderRecommend you first figure out the property Class you want to invest in, THEN figure out the corresponding location to invest in.Property Class will typically dictate the Class of tenant you get, which greatly IMPACTS rental income stability and property maintenance/damage by tenants.If you apply Class A assumptions to a Class B or C purchase, your expectations won’t be met and it may be a financial disaster.If you buy/renovate a property in Class D area to Class A standards, what quality of tenant will you get?

Figure rates are significantly higher doing this instead of the more straight forward approach.  

ONLY lenders had computers to figure out apr etc. 

One thing I’ve realized about real estate is that it’s less about “knowing everything” and more about figuring things out as you go.

@Rosette PooleRecommend you first figure out the property Class you want to invest in, THEN figure out the corresponding location to invest in.Property Class will typically dictate the Class of tenant you get, which greatly IMPACTS rental income stability and property maintenance/damage by tenants.If you apply Class A assumptions to a Class B or C purchase, your expectations won’t be met and it may be a financial disaster.If you buy/renovate a property in Class D area to Class A standards, what quality of tenant will you get?

Made 6 figures in GCI doing that in 2024.

How can I do that" Again rather than give advice when I am not a tax professional I figured I would pose his question on the forums to see what response the community would give. 

@Hiyun Park only experienced investors can DIY everything in Class C Midwest areas like Detroit, Cleveland, St Louis, etc.Hopefully the info below will help you:-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Recommend you first figure out the property Class you want to invest in, THEN figure out the corresponding location to invest in.Property Class will typically dictate the Class of tenant you get, which greatly IMPACTS rental income stability and property maintenance/damage by tenants.If you apply Class A assumptions to a Class B or C purchase, your expectations won’t be met and it may be a financial disaster.If you buy/renovate a property in Class D area to Class A standards, what quality of tenant will you get?

My background is in construction management, so once the work begins I'll be able to facilitate the construction in a timely fashion and oversee the work that needs to be done well, but my concern is actually getting started.I'd also like to make sure I know the root cause of the foundation failure and am not sure if that would be covered in the inspection or if I'd have to have an additional consultant come out and figure out what is going on.