Unless the property has clear upside potential (like rent growth or value-add opportunities), stay patient.

I'm starting my real estate investment journey in the U.S.

Obviously you need to take into account tenant landlord laws, if you are investing in Middle America it seems to me that there are many opportunities for double digit cash on cash returns.

Newbie to real-state and looking to learn ahead of first rental we are planning to find/acquire in ~12-18mo. 

OrDid you start your real estate journey not as an investor but as a full-time employee in a real estate related field - lending, contracting, working for a developer, etc?

If I am starting out as a real estate investor interested in being a rental landlord (still working out the main type of rental I want to work with), can I refinance the house with a higher rate and make it a rental to my husband as my first rental?  

I'm happy to help with any questions you have, including any financing or real estate concerns.Best,Drago

However, beyond giving this group an opportunity to do the right thing (I responded with appreciation for the transparency, the only 2 questions we're allowed to legally ask, and a gentle reminder that we are a dog-friendly property and it's a minimal cost of $20 per night), is there a better way to handle this?

Hello allWould like to get some advice from Real Estate Developers...So, we're in Canada and we own several rental properties, and want to expand our portfolio.

However, if you ALWAYS plan on staying invested in real estate, it doesn't matter as a long as 1031 is good for it.