It's going to be tough with your low W-2 income.Let's assume you are living with family or renting now.You're $11,500 can get you a $250k+ property with FHA 3% down, but your income will only support about a $1,000 PITI (mortgage P&I + property taxes + insurances). 

The real estate market there is tough right now and selling has been difficult.

After I "prove my salt" locally I'd like to target the same types of deals long distance as well.

If they were denied, send them an Adverse Action Notice, and keep all the information you collected about that applicant should the need arise to prove no wrongdoing on your part.

Business discussions between spouses technically qualify but, as you mentioned, proving the time will be a challenge.

I think one property is not enough to prove if your process works.

Commercial real estate exceeded expectations in 2025-Office fundamentals showed their first meaningful improvement since 2020, led by continued strength in Class-A assets.Data centers remained on an exponential growth path, expanding well beyond traditional hubs and increasingly supported by alternative energy solutions.Investment activity rebounded sharply, with CRE transaction volume up 17% year-over-year, driven by improved lending conditions and strong private capital engagement.While concerns around bank CRE loan distress dominated headlines, actual write-downs proved far more limited than predicted—though office exposure remains an area to watch.Walking into 2026, the message from 2025 is clear:commercial real estate didn’t just survive — it reset and started growing again.

No one takes care of guests and their STR like the owner.Once you get things rolling it isn't that tough.

Hotel Investment Market — 2025 end of year summary Despite higher interest rates, tighter credit, and widespread market uncertainty, the U.S. hotel investment market proved far more resilient in 2025 than many expected.

But we had photos to prove what the issue was before it was repaired.