If the applicant comes from the pool of people that I or my tenants know, I use real estate as a way to give back as many of my tenants will not qualify credit wise or may even have a criminal background or would struggle for another reason if I were to just stick to the "background/credit check" criteria. 

Most lenders won't require an application fee and should be able to clearly lay out their financing costs, cash to close, and projected profitability for you.I hope this helps.

During the escrow/title process, you are finalizing loan documents, reviewing title documents (HOA disclosures if applicable, title reports, etc), obtaining homeowner's insurance, and preparing to wire your funds to title. 

I Joined Jeromes Buying land and building homes program back in 2019Heres my opinion on my experience....First and foremost He offers two different programs. a 6 month program and a 12 month program.BOTH PROGRAMS ARE EXACTLY IDENTICAL THE ONLY DIFFERENCE IS:You can choose to have the weekly mentoring by Jerome once a week for 6 months or 12 months on a zoom call and you can have access to a private networking group of real estate professionals whether that be (realtors, contractors, brokers, Private/Hard money lenders, loaning institutions, Surveyors, Engineers, Zoning Board members in different municipalities, pretty much anyone you would need to get a project completed) for either 6 months or 12 months.6 month program will run you $5,997 if you decide to pay all at onceor you can make a $2,300 payment every 2 months totaling $6,90012 month program will run you $9,997 if you decide to pay all at onceor you can make a $3,000 payment every 3 months totaling $12,000I decided to join the one year program and chose the payment option as i figured within 6-8 months i would have my 1st project completed therefor my last two payments would essentially be covered by the return on investment from that project.PROS:The group is really a family oriented space where you meet a vast variety of people from all types of background throughout the country and other countries that are doing business just like you.

Did you work with any real estate professionals (agents, lenders, etc.) that you'd recommend to others?

These are professionals with additional training and a stricter code of ethics.

Did you work with any real estate professionals (agents, lenders, etc.) that you'd recommend to others?

but i also 2nd @Jay Hurst's sentiments - get a 2nd or even 3rd opinion on DTI/ full doc. i personally love files that are puzzles, i get some weird satisfaction out of figuring out how to make it work on full-doc, especially when my client has been told "no" before. if it doesn't work now, a good loan professional will help you create a path forward.

Did you work with any real estate professionals (agents, lenders, etc.) that you'd recommend to others?

You both have W2 jobs - so you're likely not a Real Estate Professionals - so these losses will be passed on until they can be deducted from other passive income in the future.