I had a W2 while working as an agent before transitioning to full time - most folks are in this position.2) You will likely pay your broker a typical commission split even if you are representing yourself.

I plan to consult a tax professional but before wasting anyone's time I would like to ask whether I can technically claim the property as a rental in 2024 even though our first contract started Jan. 1, 2025?

If someone stays at a property for 14 consecutive days or more, they could potentially be considered a tenant under state law, even if their stay is structured as short-term renewals.If the individual is classified as a tenant, landlord-tenant laws would apply, meaning you may need to follow formal eviction procedures to remove them.

I started out with a house hack, and I would say that that was definitely safe for me when I was in college as I could afford the Mortgage even if my renter didn't pay.

You could look into enforcing late fees if your lease allows it or even start the eviction process to show you're serious.

Try a local mortgage broker who can likely even run an income scenario for you.If not, there would be many DSCR folks like ourselves that would be happy to help.

I tracked it and heard from the property manager they may take $1.3mil, but they didn't even flinch at $1.2mil cash, and we got it done. 

This gets you in the game with minimal upfront costs.Covering the Smaller Costs (Inspections, Appraisals, Earnest Money, etc.)Even when using other people’s money, you’ll need some cash for earnest money deposits, inspections, and carrying costs.

With an interest rate like that I'd seriously consider finding a way to hang onto it and rent it long term even after moving.My wife and I sold our first home in dublin OH in 2018. 

Probably not even close.