(We're using it for a downpayment + rehab for an investment property).The tech issues with the bank have made this a terrible, horrible slog.   

Airbnb is booming in Punta Cana and I believe is a great investment.

The IRS requires the hours to be specifically in real estate trades or businesses, which typically means activities directly related to owning, developing, operating, or managing real estate properties.IRS Publication 925 outlines what counts as real estate trade or business activities, like development, construction, acquisition, management, leasing, and rental operations.

In the lifespan of your investing if you continue investing this speed bump will become smaller to you.

Only option for you would be DSCR loan but that is for investment property so unless you are just trying to acquire another property to build your real estate portfolio then that is the best option for you.

One month of vacancy, other than in egregiously under-rent situations, typically wipes out a year or more of additional "market" rent, so you have to plan accordingly.

This is my first investment property in a C class neighborhood, and I thought I had some good tenants, but there have been 3 late payments for rent in the 5 months they have been leasing my rental.  

Jake Welcome to Bigger Pockets and I wish you all the best in your investing journey!!

Otherwise, it looks like you may have 1031'd into "bad investments" for the tax deferment but are now eating the cash flow as a result. 

I've been interested in real estate investing for about 2 years now.