Debt to Income - DTI - is only use on FHA, conventional, Va and other typical residential transactions (consumer front).If you're going to a portfolio lender they look at lending from a 1.25x DSCR point of view (industry standard) which in essence is a 80% Debt to Income if you think about it.1 dollar of debt / 1.25 dollars of net operating income (NOI) = 1.25 X DSCR = 80% DTI Never the less us bankers joke about it all the time because it might be crazy from a residential loan officers point of view but in the banks eyes its not from a commercial point of view.The commercial bank views income property as a consistent sustainable source of reocurring income especially in stronger rental markets so having 1.25 dollars of net income coming in for every dollar of out going debt service payment is acceptable.The mess with this 1.25x they will sometimes make you conform even while subjecting you to underwriting at higher rates, shorter amortization periods, and other income adjustments that make it harder to obtain 1.25x.

I've been listening to the podcast and wow is it an awesome source of information.

I don't think that's really taking advantage of anyone, but rather you may offer them a source of extra income that they might not be thinking about.

I want REI as a retirement tool, and possibly an extra money source to be able to do things with my family and provide better for them.

Definitely the best source for REI!!

Assuming of course that you're just wanting some source of funds (and not BoA).

I wouldn't buy an investment property that is not nearby because then you have to rely on people to fix it and manage it which can turn into a source of debt rather than income very quickly

I've found people that call from internet or sources of marketing are going to waste my time over 50% of the time.

Ask for referrals for the people you need here.Consider attending the local landlord association meeting also a great source of support info and resources.

One if the biggest issues in DC is that source of income is a protected class, so you can not just move a section 8 tenant out in favor of a tenant that is not section 8.