Here is what I am thinking through, and if anyone has any guidance, I would really appreciate it -1) Buy a house 100% in cash, let's say $400k.2) Save money otherwise spent on rent, let's say $2k/month or $24k/yr.3) When I find the right business to buy, take out a HELOC and use that as a down payment to buy the business. 

All purchased in 2014.We mostly spent funds (and budgeted for that) on purchase to get them in good condition.  

In a previous life I used to show/breed dogs and spent quite a bit of time in hotels and venues with dogs. 

The first hour is spent educating the audience on a real estate topic.

Once you have a nice bit of extra coming through your business, then use the business to buy your house on the water or whatever floats your boat.Call up @Sonya Mays and have her show you some things that tick off MOST of the boxes on your list.

We offered to call cleaning people to come back and make good on the money she spent and even paint the walls (all of which were left filthy, literally).  

Employment verification direct with their employer (require a corporate email address) should give written record of their employment and confirm no change expected considering the pandemic.It can delay a decision but making sure you have a process in place and check all the boxes before a decision is key.Thanks,DM

They're in C areas.I have spent the last 18 months since purchase getting rid of bad tenants and rehabbing these houses as they've come vacant. 

They spent about a year in jail. 

So I spent a few days last month helping a cousin install a new one.