I also pay for utilities for two units since they are not on separate meters.My additional question is: can I/should I raise the rents the $75-100 I would like to, ask for a pet rent, possibly ask for a pet deposit, and then also charge a flat fee for utilities for the 2 units I pay electric and gas for?

., using a full-doc loan... if its schedule C, you would need to do a 2 year average of this income in order to use it. its looked at as a business, and self employment income. if its schedule E, theoretically you could use the schedule E income calculations just like any other rental even after the first filing.

Because you’re getting within 12 months of leaving the military, many lenders may want to see info on your next job for income.In addition to the VA loan, check out the NACA program at NACA.com.There are many lenders.

Between your standard W2 . employment income and the rental income generated - those would be the deciding factors between a traditional cash out and a DSCR loan.

@Chris DawsonHere's an article with additional FAQs on cost segregation studies that you may find helpful:https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/51/topics/1113749-cost-segregation-faqYou can definitely perform a cost segregation study.

The City has their own modified version of the Sanborn maps in their archives which, from what i've heard, have some additional hand-noted information on them, which they will utilize from time to time...

@Ryan Yu Here's an article with additional FAQs on cost segregation studies that you may find helpful.

It's certainly more of an appreciation city as a whole but theres a couple of strategies that could be employed such as STR's/MTR's in the form of rent-by-rooms to make properties get much closer to cash flowing. 

If you have self employment or gig jobs you need 2022 and 2023 IRS taxes filed and all the pages/1099/w-2/LLC/Corp/personal and 2024 income.

You could look at DSCR loans, you could do a value-add play like a fix and flip to generate some additional cash, you could look to partner with others or into private money.