Most importantly as long as you can keep it rented with quality tenants I think you raising the rent should not be an issue especially with inflation and the current cost of living. 

Many tenants bristle at modest, yearly increases in rent to account for inflation. 

They may have to settle for a smaller house, partents may have to chip in and they have gained massive equity and will be able to do so..Home prices in Milwaukee has "only" gone up 12% last year, minus 8% inflation that's a very modest 4%, so as much as I am looking for indications, it does not seem this trend will change anytime soon.

Inflation is the highest it's been since 1981 and continuing an upward trend.

On the commercial loans I have taken out (only 2 so far), my lender cared more about the property type, the location, and the lease details than he did my personal tax returns.I would have this conversation with some commercial lenders in your area before you start trying to inflate your income and paying a higher tax bill to qualify.

I personally would not invest in negative cash flowing properties up front.With inflation kicking in, property taxes going up, insurance going up, dollar going down, and CAPEX for repairs/stuff breaking (AC, plumbing, roof, etc...), that projected 25k will turn into 30k-50k. 

I'd suspect you recoup your money back in ~ 5 years (without accounting for inflation). 

inflation? 

With inflation the way it is, now's not a good time to hold cash plus you'll have a big tax hit unless you 1031 the gains into another property.

Inflation is killer but geez.