How are you paid and are those distributions underlying property performance based?   

Somewhere in the middle is likely your best bet for a 20 year timeline.I have almost 50 units here myself and that's about what my portfolio is cash flowing at this point combined LTV is around 65% as loans have gotten paid down and values have went up.

We have been house hacking in Boise, property to property for the last 5 years - and they all were not break even or positive after we left, and we have paid monthly out of pocket to hold properties. 

So, to the chagrin of some developers it can get a little expensive at times but on the flip side of that coin it provides kind of a firewall so that what ever is being built is being built with a strong intention.

As you mentioned, that expense range is not super helpful. 

Depending on the loan product, you may be able to exclude business debt once the business has paid the debt directly for 12 months.The income and losses related to the operation of the entity will affect the income side of your DTI (like Jay explained) if you own 25% or more of the entity.

Ideally, I’d like to become so much of value that I’d be paid for my help/ services.

Its dashboard is so cluttered, it hard to see who has paid and who hasn't.

You'll get to write off any home expenses against your rental income as well. 

Equity plus yearly return from cash until they are paid in full, for example?