Why not just save for the downpayment and work on increasing income to qualify for a traditional loan?

It’s usually best to open a separate business checking account so your rental income and expenses stay organized and away from personal funds.

I’d hate to see you walk away from that high an income and regret it.

You could also use a listing-only service from a brokerage where you'd pay them $200-$300 to list it on the MLS, and you/your team would take all incoming calls from interested buyers, but it's a bit slimy since the seller may see it listed on the market when you appeared to be buying it.That would be the maximum value-capture of your off-market lead machine.

Examples:44109 (median home price went from roughly 50k to 125k in 8 years)https://www.zillow.com/home-values/77009/cleveland-oh-44109/ 44102 (median home price went from roughly 30k to 120k in 8 years)https://www.zillow.com/home-values/77002/cleveland-oh-44102/ 44106 (median home price went from roughly 100k to 200k in 8 years)https://www.zillow.com/home-values/77006/cleveland-oh-44106/ It has the highest rents on average in all of Ohio for major cities and the median income is not even in the top 3.

If they are adjusting the amount they can lend because the margins are too thin or telling you the deal metrics are not checking out it is likely due to the expected earnings not being sufficient. 

Consider starting with house hacking to reduce housing costs while learning property management, or explore mid-term and short-term rentals for steady or higher income.

If I'm mentally and emotionally all-in on the incoming administration and think the economy is going to be amazing, best economy with the biggest hands ever, etc etc, then I can do better than gov't bonds, given the emotions I am experiencing.

@Rory DarcyRecommend you first figure out the property Class you want to invest in, THEN figure out the corresponding location to invest in.Property Class will typically dictate the Class of tenant you get, which greatly IMPACTS rental income stability and property maintenance/damage by tenants.If you apply Class A assumptions to a Class B or C purchase, your expectations won’t be met and it may be a financial disaster.If you buy/renovate a property in Class D area to Class A standards, what quality of tenant will you get?

After that's under control, focus on increasing income through additional work at your current job, taking on a side hustle, or finding ways to increase income on your existing rental.At the same time, educate yourself.