Warning: many financial planners will dismiss real estate altogether, because they cannot earn commissions from it, unlike from selling you annuities or mutual funds.Your Realtor may actually be finding you good properties, as long as your goals are aligned with his.

I am a high earning professional in a high stress job just getting started in my career in my mid 30s.

I am a high earning professional in a high stress job.

You’re RE income is taxed like earned income, right?

Bureau of Labor Statistics: Current Employment Statistics (CES)The Current Employment Statistics (CES) program produces detailed industry estimates of employment, hours, and earnings of workers on payrolls every month.

It can be 'some deals' and can be a lucrative business while earning a nice living. 

I want to build and refinance to pay back the lender and transition to a traditional mortgage which we then plan to pay off in under 10 years combining our earned income with rental income.

Happy Friday pocket people.I live south of Boston, earn a good salary and am looking to buy an investment property but am struggling on how to come up with a down payment.  

If the S-corp still has earnings after the layoffs; however, you may not qualify.Can an S-Corp owner collect unemployment?

If so - I would look at 2 years tax returns which takes into account mileage and expenses vs. revenue to see how much she is actually earning with all expenses and all modes of income.