(Alternative plan is to hold steady, carry on with our business, and reassess in the future.

And as far as cost of entering into an area market, you have to find a city that is not so inundated and costly but still offers you a great return and has steady growth. 

When it comes to getting financing, are there any perks to having been a volunteer for a considerable and steady amount of time or am I screwed?

@Robert ChurchYes very easy - there is a company out there that buys from you on installment sales and resells sane day all cash - they pay you back in cash your cost basis all net and the capital gains is paid through a real estate fund via installment payment with steady interest This bypasses the normal and lame 1031 exchange and any of the trust account bs offers that cost so much - it also avoids opportunity zone investments which are in bad areas Best thing I have done and it has performed much better than anything else with better safety, cash flow and liquidity

Most sustainable wealth is built slow and steady over time (not something this generation favors, instant gratification).

If you'd like to talk more I'm a local Realtor and renovator and I could help you find the right property and manage a flip for you, or help you find a good solid long-term rental to bring in steady income.

I'm trying to figure out what to do with this since I'm not sure how they can prove they are making 3x earnings or have steady income.

The market here has traditionally been very steady, and the specific location (two blocks from major university, downtown shops/restaurants/bars) within the market is superb.

Once I start building a steady cash flow I would like to start doing the more risky things in real estate like fix and flips.but for the next 6-12 months I would just like to get the experience down and learn as much as I can about real estate before I dive head first into the action.

In addition to a steady w-2 job, I also have my own law office.