House hacking is for sure the best way to get into real estate investing (in my humble opinion)If you combining your incomes puts you where you want to be, I'd do that.

Here is my interpretation: You cannot deduct the full amount in one year. 75% of the points (other 3 units) if you use unit count = $9168 divided by 30 years your annual deduction is $305.60    Points are prepaid interest -treated as interest on Schedule E.

I was considering being an agent because it would put me in the community, while potentially honing my skills and relationships while earning a solid income to invest pending my results.

Also, focus on 2 years of job/income stability.Class D Properties:Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, all cashflow with zero or negative relative rent & value appreciationVacancy Est: 20%+ should be used to cover nonpayment, evictions & damages.Tenant Pool: majority will have FICO scores under 560, little to no good tradelines, lots of collections & chargeoffs, recent evictions.

My question:If I were to seller finance and then raise private capital for the rehab, how would I pay back the lender loan other than chewing through income from the rentals since I would already be paying the seller on the finance?

My recommendation is to choose cities in safe and economically diversified areas with above-average income and population growth.

Did you have the rental income coming during the first year you owned or it was vacant? 

Now, I know you were asking about rental income...and that you can find in the comps too. 

Seller financing is a great way for the seller to avoid a lump sum capital gains tax, and still make steady/expected income on a property even after they sell it. 

My STR property manager can run an income analysis broken out by projected monthly rents (winter, shoulder months, summer, etc.) if you're interested.Happy to help!