U NEED your W 2 to qualify for loans full stop.. as your starting out. so just be realistic time freedom can come with a switch to full time RE agent you will get more free time but RE is very very tough.. and once you go self employeed you need two solid years of tax returns to qualify for funding..

True, you eliminate residential tenants, BUT it is a real business with employees, taxes, etc etc etc.

Just to be clear, YOU don't have to be the operator, but YOU need to have known how to do it and ensure the operator you employee (either as in house or through a PM company) needs to know how to do this at a high level.  

UtahAmericafirst 80% LTV on noo 65% LTV UtahArvest Bank AR, OK, AL, MOBancorp SouthTX Lines of Credit on free and clear housesBank of Southern CaliforniaCABank of West (BNP Paribas) 60% LTV CA, AZ, ORBB&T will loan on a rental portfolioBBVAnow PNCBECU for ORBellwether Community Credit UnionNH and MA 85% to 100%, draw 10 yrsBMO Harris3 HELOCs to 70% LTVBoeing Employee Credit UnionCal Coast Credit Union, CAChange WholesaleCitizens Bank -MiNonly in-state.

From my POV.it really depends on asset class and tenant Class.. this is a huge distinction. my clients that I sold apartment complex to in Oregon with B class.. they pay 4% but then have to pay for on site manager as employee.. so 4% to manage the on site person so that person does not rip you off :).However for BP and I have to think the vast majority of the rental property investors on this site that have gone to  D C B out of state markets.. those props are not like a 600k rental in Denver and the tenant that comes with it.. or really any city with a A class tenant..

Quote from @Dave Foster: @Liam Talukdar, Inventory is a snapshot in time repeated almost daily isn't it?  

Quote from @Dave Foster: @Drew Slew, Some good news for you on the 1031 front.1.

@Dave Foster       Thanks, Dave!

If you purchased from the party who purchased at the tax sale you probably would have received a SWD because the Grantor would not have wanted to warrant anything other than the Grantor's actions.While I'd be surprised if a county employee opined on the status of your title, there may be a difference between having a clear title (one without a current challenge) and insurable title (one free of significant possible risk of being challenge in the future). 

Gas station employees, mechanics, landscapers, and many others work in close proximity to petroleum products on a daily basis for decades and they don't experience health issues as long as they observe basic safety measures like washing their hands.