While I am not an accountant, and you should speak to yours about this, there is a loophole in the tax code called the STR Loophole which allows your STR (provided you are not using a PM) to be counted as active income/active expense so that the costs, payments, depreciation etc. goes against your active W-2 income.

My question:If I were to seller finance and then raise private capital for the rehab, how would I pay back the lender loan other than chewing through income from the rentals since I would already be paying the seller on the finance?

My recommendation is to choose cities in safe and economically diversified areas with above-average income and population growth.

Did you have the rental income coming during the first year you owned or it was vacant? 

Now, I know you were asking about rental income...and that you can find in the comps too. 

Seller financing is a great way for the seller to avoid a lump sum capital gains tax, and still make steady/expected income on a property even after they sell it. 

This means your monthly rental income should be at least 1% of the property's purchase price.

Yes can definitely get 100% financing of the construction no income no doc . 50% of the land cashout to cover closing costs 

It's a great sign that the tenant is *asking* you before letting his girlfriend move in so you should treat them as any other tenant application: - credit app- background check- income check etc. 

Even though we have a history of rental income at that property and a 2yr lease in place.