So make sure you understand any minimum rental history requirement.Another great scenario is with a 2nd property sometimes a lender can count the pontential rental income (or a percentage of it )that the property produces.

See Delayed Financing Exception below.If the property was owned prior to closing by a limited liability corporation (LLC) that is majority-owned or controlled by the borrower(s), the time it was held by the LLC may be counted towards meeting the borrower’s six month ownership requirement.

Perhaps they count the principle payments as profit because they’re gaining equity?

Also, can self storage facility renting/managing activity hours count towards the real estate professional requirements if one also owns and self manages multifamily or single family homes or is a real estate agent helping people buy and sell homes? 

This sucks for you, and even more so for the seller who's counting on you to get their unwanted property off their hands quickly.Go learn, and good luck!

I have been 100% passive for the past several years via real estate syndications. 14+ and counting...Instead of managing tenants and property managers, I now spend time vetting out syndicators, always looking for track record, references, monthly reporting, the ability to see financials upon request and the ability to tour the property.

If Mobile Homes count: $50. 

So now you're 20% return is more like 15%. not counting the increased restrictions by many municipalities, Market saturation by everyone jumping into the short term rental pool,  angst about reviews, unhappy neighbors, etc etc. what if there was a better way?

Not ideal to lose a closet in a bedroom as a bedroom needs a closet (and window) to be counted as a bedroom. 

You cannot count on appreciation like you would in Portland or LA.I will say, however, that the cash flows in my particular market are fantastic.