A realtor is going to ask you for proof of funds and you need to have actual proof of funds not a fake letter you printed off the internet.

E-Commerce business- (online internet retail sales nationwide)Would this be considered in the application process as a "transferable  business"?

Des Moines seems to have two options  - brand new construction or needs a lot of work in a not ideal neighborhood. 

Great thing about the internet is Cunningham's Law never lets you down. 

Obviously negative cash flow is not ideal, but it may not also be a disaster if you can cover it until you're able to sell.

So going with a conventional with 3%-5% would be ideal?

For my first investment, debating staying at this house, looking for ideal BRRRR property, and continuing that pattern, or a quasi-house hacking approach. 

The more I'm reading into bigger pockets and following podcasts I'm getting quite educated but I'm also realizing that I need to do some soul searching to understand what my ideal end state goal is.

Ideally we would get an attorney to draft up the specifics of our arrangement but things that we are unclear about include things like, who should take out the mortgage (both names v.s. the one who can get the better offer), what documentation is essential i.e. equality/partnership agreement.

Recently I saw a property that looked interesting from the pictures on the online listing, so I went to see the property without any kind of expectation considering that the house was not in my ideal area nor I think I am quite ready to make an offer.