You can in fact use the rents to qualify to help get a higher purchase price approved.You are smart to be cautious because it will cost you money to start the mortgage process, pay for an appraisal, inspection etc.

I actually had to get enough units where I could offer tenants multiple housing options when I purchased properties rented at way under market rates and then (an embarassing number of times) personally watch tenants that would "suffer" from a rent increase turn down smaller (but nicer places) or  nicer places in a less prestigious zip code (sometimes only minutes away) before I realized that I was hampering my ability to earn a living in order to subsidize the lifestyle choices made by a some random stranger that happened to live in a property I bought.

I am pretty good income and this would still take at least one year for me to purchase. is the idea i just purchase 1-2 a year of this standard?

I do believe by taking an active role, you can make money on this purchase.  

Hi Braeden,What kind of purchase price are you looking at?

Purchase price: $490,000 This was my first property.

My personal interest is in rental property investment. how much minimum income needed to start real estate investing in British Columbia, Vancouver or Alberta, Calgary region. with current affordability I can only purchase one 2 bed condo. with current rental market its not possible to generate +ve cash flow with even 20% Downpayment. curious how people are making money or is this just real estate scam to sell properties? 

I am beginning my cold calling to area apartment complexes and I feel that my approach should be much different that approaching a seller to purchase their property. 

Purchase price: $170,000 Cash invested: $32,000 I bought this as a duplex that a triplex. $650 one unit and $600 the second.

@DJ Brooks, Your sale (with the one failed purchase) would cause a gain to be recognized.