I live in Kansas City, MO and work from home as a digital artist in the sports industry with a bit of freelancing on the side. 

She started a second truck to double our service business (still legally 100% my business), is getting a graphic design degree to freelance as a side hustle, and is 100% on board with my RE goals (albeit she doesn't nerd out on BP Like I do).

After a year of interviewing, freelancing, and pulling my hair out, I went back to NYC to accept a job that would allow me to keep the house.

I've been freelance but receiving W2s from different payroll companies for many years.

It may make sense to have someone do an SEO tune-up for you on a freelance basis.

However how are you (or can you) claim the expenses paid to over seas freelancers when working with them directly and not through a 3rd party site like Upwork? 

I'm really sure I did everything wrong, I was not knowledgeable nor was I thinking about it as a business, but somehow I enjoyed myself so much I'm now considering getting into real estate investing.My goal is to have passive income (I work freelance so I will eventually need it), as well as income for retirement.

I have three, yes 3, jobs: landscape architecture, rideshare driver, and some freelance design work. 

We have plenty of regulars to pay the bills, and my wife is getting a graphic design degree and will be transitioning to freelance employment in that field. 

You might also be eligible based on consulting or freelance work you do.