I'm currently working as a network engineer and would like to start replacing that income with financial freedom in real estate.

Hi Sejin,Are you calculating the rental income based on long term rental or short term rental? 

If cash flow is your top priority, Cleveland's reliable rents and predictable income could be a strong contender.

There are many sports programs out there for youth and adult athletics that could act as long term tenants which would be great in ensuring people actually care about the place and that it produces income.

I'm not certain of my debt to income ratio at the moment, but if I try to mortgage out a property to purchase another, does the rental income I anticipate getting from the new purchase factor into the debt to income calculation?

You’re able to defer taxes by accelerating the depreciation of specific assets which helps reduce your taxable income, thus deferring your tax liability into future years.

especially without being able to increase w2 income very fast?

When looking for a DSCR lender for your short-term rental, ask how they can underwrite short-term rental income.

All or some expenses run through the PM and offset the income?

Consider private money lending and/or note investing for a passive income source?