Just happened out of the blue a couple years ago.

ProfessionalA professional plumber can usually replace a kitchen faucet in 30–60 minutes.

In the desert it costs me LESS than $20 for water.

Of course want better close rate but when those numbers I would be ok with 

Realistically im probably at least a couple years away.

As for by-the-room rentals, many lenders won't allow that and if they do, they qualify you off of the long term market rents (which, as I'm sure you can imagine, would be considerably lower than the actual per-room rents).

With the future being so uncertain I realized there was a need to do more than just rely on my job for financial security. 

With today's high interest rates, it usually doesn't make sense.

Pre '2010', maybe just maybe it will lean heavier on the fundamental mechanics than specific processes. 

So someone who lends based on deposits and relationships rather than a broker who would sell your loan.