My goal is to build a real estate portfolio that can generate either passive or active income well into my retirement (58 years old now).

Is there a better option that I don't even see currently?

Quote from @Renee Jones: I am doing a job in Shaker Heights OH for which I currently have 150% of budget in escrow with the town housing dpt.I can only get the funds released once violations are rectified.

It is convenient, but it's an IRS audit flag having a $0 income "property."

$499,990 3 Units Generating $3,700/mo That property would not even meet the DSCR requirement if the total income is $3700 per month.

Current Situation: I am trying to househack a house in Cincinnati as I have 4 people who have agreed to live in the property that I buy.

@Alex NARecommend exploring as many sources as possible to get referrals AND cross-reference them to get as much accurate information as possible.Check out NARPM.com, BP’s Property Manager Finder (BiggerPockets: The Real Estate Investing Social Network), etc.Also, encourage you to learn from the mistakes of others - by reading posts here on BiggerPockets about owners not having their expectations met by their current Property Management Company.

Many times experience of the buyer, credit history and reserves in addition to what income the property can produce will factor in how the lender will structure the loan. 

Can I move rental income into a brokerage account?

Here’s a recent real world example. . .This deal was put together by my former student, current friend, and now successful real estate investor.Source: expired listingLocation: investor, Florida; property, IllinoisType: long term lease option via a sandwich leaseTerms between investor and homeowner:a) 48 monthsb) option to purchase price $135Kc) rent, $1200d) cash out of pocket, $0.