My realtor/contractor/friend agreed to show them to me.

I'm wondering if what question you want to be asking is "What lending sources are available to me?

Seems clear as day to me.... 

However, I was talking to a DSCR loan officer about a property I was looking at and they told me that they would only lend to an entity like a LLC or corporation; they would not lend to me individually.

Even if getting the permits winds up costing $30K, to me... it still seems worth it.Does anyone have any experience with something like this?

That is a red flag to me but I find it hard to believe that a business with 4.8 stars on so many reviews and A+ BBB rating could be a scam.

Sometimes it's nice to get a new lease so that you can increase the rent right off the bat, but having tenants with a solid payment history is worth so much more to me.

Are there other job opportunities that would still allow to me work in the real estate industry?

Sure, there's a little beach at the one lake, and the shops at Cashiers, but to me it's just not quite enough.

It’s still surreal to me that I’m able to own real estate at 20, but I know this is just the beginning.