First thing to do is build your team so you can get the right exposure to whatever your target investments are (commercial, residential, etc.). 

I picked it because I liked it and chose it to be my 8-5 job with REI eventually becoming an interest and in the future I will transition to that being my main 8-5 job with my degree becoming the complementary bonus (along with the years of knowledge I will have gained). 

A bonus if it is in an appreciating market/neighborhood. 

As a bonus- if you pay for an appraisal to kick your PMI to the curb, you should be able to use that appraisal for your HELOC, which is usually the only cost to open one up. 

But I’m using special bonus depreciation to take immediate 100% depreciation for the full cost of the acquisition minus the land cost (tax cuts and jobs act).

You do not pay them, and so your gift is not a bonus, an additional payment showing your gratitude or recognition.

I use new credit cards with miles bonuses for rehab, then I pay them off when I refi the house (or sooner with cash)I would not recommend using a credit card to pay for a reno unless you have the cash to match and you're only doing it to limit cash out exposure or looking to grab bonuses.

Owner is focused more on selling 5 acres the property is an "added bonus".

Thanks to a Bonus I got at work I was able to make my very first Real Estate Investment utilizing Fundrises Platform.

If plan on growing properties etc you will increase your exposure and risk.