Just don't be upsold into buying their programs and packages.The biggest part of personal finance is DISCIPLINE!  

The SBA has loan programs that will allow you to do all of the above if youre willing and able to jump through all the hoops.

I am not sure what your goals are for real estate but if you are looking to buy a house and seeing it more of an investment; an awesome program is a 203K loan.  

From what I've heard, their training program is top notch and they will get you started on the right track with your career.  

Another concern is that if a tenant can't afford to pay rent (so they're on a voucher program) then how are they going to make necessary repairs?

You might want to research "Down Payment Assistance Programs." 

Homepath is the Fannie Mae foreclosure sale program.  

Needs carpet and some sheetrock repair around the kitchen pantry shelves. or, You can sell this as a lease purchase or your own owner financing and require your tenant to put down a large downpayment and also have them fix the property themselves doing a Work for Equity Program.

@KANE WHITESIDEThe setup and support of Self Directed Solo 401k programs is a pretty specialty service, with a handful of reputable providers.  

The following is copied from disabilitylawco.org.First, although the ADA and the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) implementing regulations have limited a “service animal” to a specially trained dog (or in some instances a miniature horse), those limitations do not apply to the Fair Housing Act (FHA) or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 – the federal laws that apply to housing.It means that people with disabilities may request a reasonable accommodation to allow an emotional support animal to live with them even if their housing has restrictions or prohibitions on pets.The issue then becomes whether the person with a disability needs the animal in order to have an equal opportunity to use and enjoy the housing or housing program.