I really would like to begin my career as a real estate investor as soon as possible, however I am having trouble figuring out how I can finance a rental.

Our situation is that we feel we have adequate funds (at least 20%) for the down payment, 6 months of reserves, closing costs, and rehab funds, and good credit scores, but we may run into trouble with our monthly income.

They are going to have trouble proving the house was inhabitable without hotel receipts or some other proof the temperature was dangerously low.

Sure there are stories about people renting to quiet elderly section 8 tenants who don't cause any trouble and are perfect tenants, but for every one of those, there five like your sister's.

The video is a landlord nightmare, glad you avoided it and glad the guy that got stuck actually had the guts to go on TV and discuss his case.The courts are slow to action and even with screening a tenant can go off the deep end and cause trouble. 

It was ur first deal producing deal.

@Karen Musselman, sorry to hear for your troubles.

I make payments, where the person I took the property from was having serious trouble in that department.  

Sometimes a small shop will give you the most leeway, but also the most attention if you are a producer and can also offer them something (4 deals in 7 months is not bad for someone new, so I'd think you could be an asset to a good team, with plenty of upside).  

They could get you in big trouble!