where I do think it helps is if your raising money from folks and or with banks..MBA gives some credibility for sure..

Made a lump sum and now I make money in interest payments and I don’t have to have touch the house as far as repairs or landlording at all.  

None of this stuff by itself is a ton of money, but add it all up and it cuts into profits.

Conventional loans will follow the same guidelines, here is a good excerpt:https://selling-guide.fanniemae.com/sel/b2-1.3-03/cash-out-r...DSCR loans have flexible seasoning, which could allow you to put the money to use quicker, outweighing some negatives.

Each way you're making money on the property, it just depends upon the type of use you can envision.

They do make sheet vinyl that looks like wood and if you go to a flooring store usually they will have a much larger selection and can even save you money with different types of installation like going over exsisting floors with a floating vinyl sheet install. 

I would check out Banco Popular or a local hard money lender. 

I currently have tenants who pay through Zelle and with money orders.

But how for newbies like me with no portfolio or track records I spent most of my money on education  now I'm between jobs so it's kind of hard for me to do both.

Investors can make money in any phase of the real estate cycle But just need to know which strategies to apply in the different phases.Cheers.