You can look up comparable rents on active zillow for rent listings or on Rentometer.3.

(You are automatically an affiliate when you sign up) That being said, I'm not a very active affiliate.

Since rental losses are typically passive, the best way to offset W-2 income is through Real Estate Professional Status (REPS) (750+ hours) or Short-Term Rentals (STRs) (100+ hours and more time than anyone else managing the property), which allow real estate losses, including depreciation, to offset active income.A cost segregation study accelerates depreciation, generating large upfront deductions.

I'm an active duty military member and our family has been moving around the country for the past 20 years so we're excited to begin buying some places we can hold onto.

I think the first question is do you want to be an active investor or a passive investor? 

At the time I was active enough that I had a few sources of reliable money.

I have met a few folks recently who are active in that market and I am planning on following up and seeing what their experience has been.

LOLOkay, buy the lien at a discount, some might go at ten cents on the dollar, keep it active, collect later with interest.

In contrast, value-add multifamily properties like the Michigan apartment complex offer:Immediate cash flow exceeding bond yields.Significant upside potential through renovations and operational improvements.A position at the bottom of the market cycle, with strong tailwinds expected in the years ahead.For investors willing to explore opportunities beyond fixed-income investments, the current CRE market offers a compelling case.

Nothing illegal about doing that, but if caught, the lender may call the loan due and if you don't correct the situation or pay the loan off, they willstart mortgage foreclosure.3) You could also go the HELOC route to tap the equity in the home, but the 12-month owner-occupancy will also apply AND the interest rate on the HELOC will fluctuate with the Fed Fund Rate.4) You could do a cashout refi as an investment property, but that will be at an interest rate 0.5-1% higher than owner-occupied rate.Suggest you meet with 2-3 lenders to explore your options about the above.Once you have access to funds, recommend you buy a 2-4 unit with 20-25% down. - You can buy owner-occupied, live in one unit, and fix up and rent the other unit(s).- If you're handy, recommend buying a property in the worst condition you can tolerate.