If you want to build up a portfolio quickly the income you can get with an engineering job might be a great starting out point with W-2 income for more down payments and purchases.

They are offering up to $25,000 in downpayment and closing costs.Link here: https://detroitmi.gov/departments/housing-and-revitalization...Ideally, you could take advantage of that to buy a duplex and house hack.

You'd think STR would cause more wear and tear, but the host has to keep it up in great condition to get 5 star reviews. 

Preferably, you or the seller have a method that can be set to autopay to make both of your lives easier.Hope it helps!

I am looking to rent it out, but I am not ready to give up access to it. 

They're seldom home during the day and on weekends.The upstairs tenant texted me yesterday (I do have a separate phone line for our properties) saying she's having noise issues with the downstairs tenants: banging the screen door closed after she's gone to sleep on weeknights (11:00pm), talking on the phone at 1:30am, up and about at 2:30am on the weekend.

If you have a 30 day late on your mortgage, it will take some time for that to clear up a bit.

This will free up cash flow by reducing the high-interest payments.You can also refinance your rental to cover the $40K balloon and possibly access additional equity, but avoid selling the rental since it's cash-flowing well.

I think this might be a low point because the Canadian government is trying to pump the housing market before the election next year by lowering rates, relaxing mortgage insurance conditions etc.Yes they have been putting in all these measures to prop up the housing market as they see the pending implosion writing on the wall. 

If by real estate business you’re implying you have little or no money to invest but are contemplating using one of the guru inspired methods (subject to, “wholesaling” , fix n flip) to create cash flow, I’d encourage you to do research on the true success/failure rate of people who engage in these endeavors, the amount of money the successful operators spend monthly on marketing, and the real time commitment and knowledge and experience necessary for success.