Quick example here -- https://tubularinsights.com/tax-deductions-us-youtubers/These expenses/deductions will help to reduce regular income tax as well as self-employment tax.Any deductions not tied to YouTube income will not help to reduce self-employment tax.

House hacking is an incredible way to get into buy and hold real estate investing with a relatively low financial barrier to entry… plus the added benefit of reducing housing costs!

I also agree that today's technology has greatly reduced the need to visit in person.

This reduces the cash he needed to bring to closing.Moreover, if the building needs repairs, you can also negotiate a deferred maintenance credit to further reduce your cash to close.Hope this helps

If there's a hole, it may be a red flag.b) sensitivity analysis: I examine all the assumptions, and make sure I can live with the worst case scenarios.c) "Stall and see": if they are getting money over multiple years, and there is no penalty for investing later, I would usually wait so I get some real performance data, versus having to look at theoretical pro forma information.d) Recession stress test: I will not invest in anything, until I subject it to recession level stress and see if I can live with the result.

You only back out after doing you due diligence and deeming it is not a good investment, I personally look at inspection and expenses in due diligence as insurance investment to reduce loss. 

Reach out to @Joe Mueller he is an investor and started Investors Title Services LLC and they specialize in investor closings at reduced fees, although I used them for all my closings and save money on every one of them. 

Use that money for investments that yield 8-10% returns rather than paying down the debt that's costing you 4-5%Focus on reducing that debt payment or increasing your income (no brainer but had to say it)Have a lender determine your buying power. 

My wife and I do have Big goals but we want to be financially stable when we build up so that we can enjoy life together while working less.. and with less stress.. lots of good advice here but the main theme is to do what feels right to us and I think we know what that is now.

Buy a little lower, rehab a little more and refinance to reduce the equity trapped in the property.