We use a YTD paystub and last year’s W-2(s) to calculate income several different ways:Hourly or salary income calculated to a monthly amountYTD income divided by number of YTD monthsYTD + W-2(s) income divided by the corresponding number of monthsIf these numbers vary too much, then we investigate and require an acceptable Letter of Explanation.Employment StabilityUnless an applicant has exceptional credit, we strive to determine their stability of employment to make sure they’ll always be able to pay the rent on time.

I'm starting to investigate more creative financing options to scale faster in 2025 - 2030.

Use some for buy and hold (I personally would prefer apartments rather than buying a few single family homes) and some for lending/trust deed investing.In either category, you must know what you are doing, know how to vet the investment, how to vet the sponsor (if investing in a larger fund of some sort), the laws and regulations on the lending side, how to investigate which areas to invest in buy and hold and notes/trust deeds for that matter.So as you have already said several times, lots to think about . . . 

I was told if I could show a professional license such as a broker license I might get approved but the best option would be a Private Investigators license, otherwise, they didn't see any other path to approval for me or my company.

Are they going to flag it as a statistical abnormality and send investigators after you?

I also did some investigating online and see the renter has a tendency not to hold down a job.I offered asking price (fair market) because it was the sellers bottom line and the fact there were already tenants renting.

I haven't investigated this option yet.

I was under the impression that it typically is a lower cash flow then STR which is why I haven’t don’t any investigation.

I have applied, scheduled to have the lead investigation for hazards soon. 

If you are looking for cash buyers who don't do any investigations then I'm not your guy.