One thing you should have a solo 401k and be maxing that puppy out.. the buy GREAT performing notes in it.. and or as other suggested do some syndication investments.. those are ALL about the sponsor.... you need to be very careful who you pick when you do those.and a Roth IRA as well.. go see a real good CPA and do some planning... if you like flipping nothing wrong with that.. but buying some income producing assets will help on tax's just depends.I would also look into MHP in those areas those can be a very nice little cash cow machine ...

As @Alon L. said, we don't know what the contract required as far as seller produced disclosures, leases, etc.

Would the cash flow Im producing be enough to qualify for a refinance?

People get this crazy idea that any property will produce positive cash flow and will make you money.

There is no specific guidance as to timing, and one does not need to fix up a house for it to be considered a flip.By contrast, property that is held to produce passive income such as rents is considered a passive investment asset.  

If it does NOT have any debt on a income producing property will help you weather the storm.

The real estate license but also provide you some income and flexibility in time in producing capital while you were at school.

finally, is a way around this to have a vacant property under a short term lease in someone else's name this way there can't be another lease in the event the scammers "produce" a lease ?

If the tenants has an extra $200 available to give you she most likely 1) is hiding under the table income from SEC 8 or 2) hasn't an add'l income producer living with her who is not on the lease. 

With a sponsoring employer producing limited income, the key benefit of higher contributions in the Solo 401(k) would be moot.Get out and learn more about the program and see if it will be a good fit for you.