Conduct thorough market research to comprehend the potential real estate markets, considering aspects like employment growth, population trends, rental demand, property values, neighborhoods, schools, and local laws.

It's far harder to qualify for conventional loans if you're a business owner or self-employed and that equals opportunity.When I look at doing a potential owner finance deal the most important thing for me is skin in the game. 

By employing leverage, there's risk, which is why I started this tread (to find out how risky TDs really are). 

I noticed Amazon has 5 facilities in Davenport this should help provide renters with pretty solid employment.

However, the self employment could (or could not) pose an issue depending on how much you pay yourself yearly and what you report on your tax returns.  

All in all, far greater flexibility will come from a skill set related to these degrees as someone who sees themselves as a real estate investor as their primary source of employment.

Not yet, I'm waiting until I hit 2 years of employment history before I talk to a lender.

Conventional financing may require 2 years of income to show depending on how many years you have been self-employed for. 

You can use a co-borrower just make sure they have good credit and a (2) year work history of W2 income.Try and avoid self employed co-borrowers because their tax returns typically do not show income and are full of deductions.

In your situation depending on your employment status, you maybe able to go for real estate professional.