I consider myself more personable than your prototypical accountant, and want to transition into the world of RE deal making, where I could interact with others, and utilize my capital to assist me in generating some passive income, slowly increasing my portfolio to the point where I do not need to work the 9-5 and prioritize spending time with family. 

A few useful resources are books, podcasts, online courses, and local seminars.Specify your financial objectives.

Many of these have increased in value due to increasing rents and NOI significantly. 

I am recently in the financial position to start my lifelong journey in real estate and a friend recommended this community to help me learn and get started in real estate.

Work hard at finding a deal that works financially and execute, don't wait for a better market or better rates (as long as the numbers work now).

I wouldnt increase my tax bill to show higher income , self employeed , they want 2 or 3 years 

Truth if you can not pass through your increasing expenditures with rent growth you will make less money comparatively.  

Depends on what your goals are - if you're ok with spending a bit of $ upfront to furnish your apartment, then you have ways to increase your revenue by renting out midterm (3-6 months, etc.) 

Or, here's a completely different angle, sell your home subject to your 1st mortgage, for 1 million to a financial friend for example.

The increase rent by more than 17% appeares to be to very unlikely.