I was able to get a job on a gov ship through my union in Baltimore that allows me to be home and have weekends off which allowed me to have time to move closer to my goals. 

There are two different topics / questions1) Can I deduct real estate education if I am involved in a real estate rental trade or business.2) If you can deduct it, is there a passive limitation involved.

LTC Example:Bridge loans and LTC structures allow borrowers to include capex and other project costs in their loan.I hope this helps clarify LTC vs LTV.

You could always invest in funds like https://fundrise.com/ (allows you to invest in RE without being accredited) or https://percent.com/ (allows you to be a private money lender without all of the work) if you have money and less time. 

If B, then make sure that you are heavily insured because you are acting as a GC.Also most states (like Arizona) will not allow a homeowner to act as Owner/Builder on a property that they are planning on renting, only their own personal residence.

In other words, it seems to me that the data in this study is skewed and incomplete.2) Okaloosa Island is a "tale of two cities": the south beach side of expensive condos and the up and coming north side, where only a small portion allows short term rentals.

You would have to find a lender that allows cross collateralization of the properties on DSCR loans and you would have to do a few at a time. 

My broker allows us 2 investment and 1 personal deal per year where we do not have to pay the split.

I’m not aware of any state that allows what would be a junior lien and would be extinguished in the foreclosure sale to game the system and record the lien in the gap between notice of the sale and the actual sale.There are ways to legally address such “liens” when they do arise in the middle of a foreclosure… such as redemption or surplus or even a QT action. 

(you didn't indicate if this is free cash flow or expenses still deducted).  1.