A detective might be the best place to start.

Way to go Jake, that's where a lot of us started :) first of many for you I'm sure.

I haven't worked with him but I'm getting started doing private lending with Matt. 

Upstate NY, to start building your portfolio,

ABSOLUTLY  Quality over Quantity   Max debt compared to free and clear or lower debt. 

I decided at the start of 2023 to begin my REI journey.

Yes there are safe lower end neighborhoods great for rentals.3.

Hey guys,Wife and I are looking to get started in long term rentals to hold long term.

The project got off to a slow start with the building department.

I love that you rented two of your bedrooms as mid term and short term rentals and made enough to pay for the mortgage and now you are going to use the rental income to show you can qualify for another property.This is an excellent strategy and one more people should consider doing in this inflationary environment to offset the biggest cost in their budget--housing.As you rightly point out, you can use this strategy with every house you buy accumulating a portfolio of houses that you originally started out living in as a primary residence every two years.Well done and more people should consider doing the same, or rent their garage, or shed, or a boat, or an extra car.Love it!