Obviously, the interest I earn from lending would be taxable income, but how would the initial investment be treated for tax purposes?

I would pay the same income tax and add fica on the sched C.

(And then you’ll just have to make $25k for every year it took you to “catch up” to make up for the lost CD income.) 

Having burned with few tenants, I am considering to tenant income and asset verification on top of regular background check.

I believe this is considered active income.

The next house will bring in passive income (rents) and that plus the equity it builds can wipe out debts fast!

A DSCR loan, or Debt Service Coverage Ratio loan, is underwritten to the property income instead of your personal income/taxes/debts.

I am starting to build out a site to help with an agent's lead collection and online brand.

The next step is to pull out some cash typically a cash out refinance and use that cash to put down on another investment property.Are you strictly using your liquid reserves/earned income to buy versus using the equity to pull cash out?

I’ve been looking online but can’t find and good contracts or get any good advice on how to get them .