I am considering utilizing a HELOC for the down payment, which would also enable me to implement immediate rent increases to bring rates in line with market values.

For USDA there are stringent DTI requirements and income ceilings.  

I'm definitely looking forward to implementing this perspective and avoiding the cold call where it feels like someone is just asking for a commitment without context.  

That is why they are trying to implement a subject-to financing strategy to purchase the home.

I have not used it, but he gave it some great reviews and will look into implementing something like this for my property management arm in the near future. 

This type of entity layering can help shift the income in a way that changes its tax treatment.That said, implementing this kind of strategy requires careful planning and precise execution to stay compliant with IRS rules.

question should be do I want to be a land lord or is there other RE niches like financing that could be implemented..

This type of entity layering can help shift the income in a way that changes its tax treatment.That said, implementing this kind of strategy requires careful planning and precise execution to stay compliant with IRS rules.

I have a few rentals my SOP which has worked is to require 700 plus fico.. that tends to separate the wheat from the chaff.. can take a month or two to find that good credit tenant but so far never missed a payment in the years I have implemented this.when I had lower end rentals and NO ONE had a 700 heck they had a hard time have a 600.. just frustrating and I sold them all.

As an example, TX has some stringent laws with respect to L/O's.I'm not going to go through all the details on L/O's but there should be plenty of info available online.Good Luck!