The only way to learn that lighting is hot is to see it catch a tree on fire.

These lenders often have more flexibility with underwriting and may not require traditional income documentation.

If you walk into a bathroom and see peeling paint on the ceiling, you know that room was not ventilated while showers were taken.Wire exhaust fans to the same switch as the light so that the fan has to be turned on.

Tagging people who have no choice but to believe there is a light at the end of the tunnel is not persuasive.

@Shawn Amersi  Yes Shawn, RDPD really turned the light on for me. 

Also, compared to a traditional loan (i.e., conventional, FHA, etc.) for a primary residence your rate/points options are going to be higher for an investment.

Property was sitting on market and needed light updates (roof, flooring, paint) but was in a great area that allows STRs giving me multiple options when deciding on rental strategy How did you find this deal and how did you negotiate it?

A REAL fixer needs so much work that it doesn't qualify for traditional financing options.

I looked back at my tax returns when I was doing the conversions from my traditional IRA to my Roth IRA and realized I had converted up to the limit of my standard deduction allowing that amount to be tax free, but the excess above that that I converted each year was at the lowest tax bracket, so while I did convert some money tax free each of those years I DID IN FACT pay more than a few cents in taxes on the amount above the deduction.  

This will shine a light on the areas you have gaps.