Sure, Section 121 is powerful if you're considering sale and need to exclude a big gain, but passive cash flow is more powerful in my opinion.

However, I was told by a mortgage officer that I can exclude/offset the mortgage payments with the rental incomes from my DTI calculation (forgot what term he used, it has been awhile).What's the best way to finance/buy my next property to live in?

Avoid ANYTHING condo in western Canada (excluding lower mainland) for the next decade.

To qualify for Elite Membership you must be an accredited investor: net worth of at least $1,000,000, excluding the value of one's primary residence,(Net worth is the value of all assets including businesses owned, minus the total of all liabilities, including the value of any businesses that you own.) or have income at least $200,000 each year for the last two years (or $300,000 combined income if married) and have the expectation to make the same amount ." 

excluding pit bulls?

What I can add is that, excluding the gated communities, the average Lehigh neighborhood is about a C area.

In my first 10 or so deals, I used no money of my own, excluding some very minor bills.I believe the key is gaining the know how, locating others with the capital, and bringing value to the table.

The point was mentioned that you can negotiate a better price by not using an agent, true, but to me REI is a team sport & if I started excluding my normal broker from deals word might get out, especially since I am in a smaller market.  

I now have 727 leads in this search, this is what I did: - 4 counties - Absentee Owned - min. 3 bedrooms - SFR- 50% to 100% equity - $50,000 to $100,000 Last sale price - Exclude Trustees and Corporate - Mailing address complete Did I miss anything??

(That excludes trailers since my wife grew up in one and never wants to repeat the experience)3: Only buy real estate within 30 min driving distance of my home.