I have a good credit score, but I'm concerned that given I'm going to have very low provable income for the next 2-3 years and not be able to secure a loan especially with a low down payment.

I would recommend buying your first home, either single family or a duplex and house hacking so you can collect rental income and have renters help you pay down your mortgage. 

Maybe it's a bit more LA mentality, but I don't see someone from Garner to east and up to Wake Forest stomaching a 45 minute one way daily commute to where the higher income in-office jobs are located, which I'm leaning into for greater likelihood to afford rent now and increases later.

There is definitely potential to get it lower but it seems like it is going to have to be way lower after considering the expenses that are going to come with it.The entire property has potential to bring in $3,000 worth of rental income if my rent comps are correct.

Appraisers will take into account the amount of rents and also the local cap rate when determining value.  

Unless you see someone's bank account statement and accounting software, I would consider it no more than gossip.

I work in and around the Osceola County, Florida area and I'd be more than happy to help out any person willing to learn about how they can grow a passive stream of income.

Additional streams of income:1) Have mortgage broker present at open house (and charge them "$5000"%) to pre-approve those who want it (but don't make that a requirement to bid).2) Sell the bidder list to other investorsI have not seen any such ads in my area and I'm wondering if it's because this system is not effective or is it because nobody is utilizing it?

George - I think that the owners most likely to seller finance a portion of the sale are those that have owned their property for a LONG time (potentially looking for residual income) and owners than own their property either "free and clear" (without a mortgage/debt) as they have more flexibility.

An index fund is a better option...eventually, I'm a fan of paying them off and treating them like fixed income, but not now assuming that your financial house is in order and you like owning and managing real estate.