I did a credit check, criminal background check, got pay stubs, required income 3x rent, and got employer confirmation and prior landlord reference (but I never got in touch with the prior landlord successfully)

What is your plan for income/employment after you get out?  

There are also programs like DSCR where the borrower does not need to have or show employment or income.

Population is growing aggressively and jobs are moving here especially with major employers like Intel, Google, Amazon, Nationwide, etc.

Population is growing aggressively and jobs are moving here especially with major employers like Intel, Google, Amazon, Nationwide, etc.

Population is growing aggressively and jobs are moving here especially with major employers like Intel, Google, Amazon, Nationwide, etc.

I could have possible went to the woman's employer and asked about time off and see what information they would have freely gave me? 

Yes, you will need 2 years of employment history and be employed at the time of application for an FHA loan.

In that case, the CPA said, we should file Schedule C instead of Schedule E and pay self-employment tax.

Is it gaining or losing population.Hi Michael,Thanks for your comment.I see Toledo as quite a diverse city when it comes to employment.From white collar medical to blue collar steal, glass and manufacturing.I'm sure that you can look things up online further and find out all of the stats/demographics about the employment and population, etc...In my opinion it's very easy for someone like myself to paint a pretty picture about the Toledo market and to "smudge" your eyes with booming figures.Something that I don't practice because every market has it's pro's and con's.I will say this though just like I've mentioned to many other investors over the years.Focus on finding the right people first before focusing on the stats/demographics of a particular market.When you work with experienced investors (As in you have "boots on the ground"), they are going to be the ones that will know the micro economics of specific cities or even regions.So, the broad market stats that you can find online will differ to what people on the ground know to be true.Just my 0.02 Aussie cents lolThanks again mate and I wish you much success