However, if you’re not ready to jump in yet, you could spend the next couple of years building your savings and learning more about real estate to feel more confident when the time comes.

I have a goal of being able to spend time with my daughter and family.

Based on the questions you are asking I think you need to spend more time listening to podcasts like Bigger Pockets and Bigger Pockets Rookie.

Focus on tax-saving strategies such as cost segregation studies and bonus depreciation to accelerate deductions.By qualifying as a Real Estate Professional (spending 750+ hours annually and materially participating), you can offset your wife’s S-Corp income with real estate losses, reducing your tax liability.

Happy to assist any way I can.

I’m unable to invest in areas familiar to me as I’m priced out of suburban NJ where I was born and raised.I’m looking to spend $150-$180K on a condo and will need to research viable areas.

Rather than just spending the money on a rate buy down. 

So you're willing to pay $30,000 for their furniture when you could spend $5,000 on your own?

I think this actually happens all over the world, but some landlords will increase their rent to the amount that the US government is willing to spend on rent in that location.

I figured using my primary equity could assist in getting that loan just to show as reserves