Too many Americans work 40 hours and spend the rest of their time spending what they've earned, then wondering why they can't seem to get ahead. 

The vacant land will not earn any income.

Having a high personal income whether its self employed or W2 earned income is a nice luxury because it affords you more runway when encountering future borrowing hurdles.How long before you can use rental income ?

However, if the issue is that they haven't been bringing you off market deals, to be honest, you may have unrealistic expectations of them at this point in your investing career. 

Purchase price: $450,000 Cash invested: $113,000 Contributors: Mo Maruping The darkest day in my real estate career, I learned many many lessons on this deal.

Purchase price: $450,000 Cash invested: $113,000 Contributors: Mo Maruping The darkest day in my real estate career, I learned many many lessons on this deal.

If you're paying 30% taxes, then you are most likely earning over $150k, which is the threshold in which you can no longer offset of those aforementioned losses against your ordinary W-2 income in the current tax year.

The agent did not earn commission on the deal as it was off-market and the seller and I handled the transaction.

Charlotte is a solid market to be in and your house-hack idea is a great way to start AND scale your real estate investing career!

I'd only use private money in the beginning of my investing career if they can beat conventional lenders rates.