My credit is excellent, but of course being self-employed must go off my REI history rather than tax returns to borrow.

The wholesaler is fairly new to the business, but is employed with a well-established firm here in Denver.

Has the city been courting any major employers with any success over the past decade?

As long as you are "continually employed" without gaps and you can show that it is part of your "career growth" you should be fine, in my experience.

I could afford all the bills if I did have total vacancy because me and my husband are both still employed full time but I don't want that to have to.

My new tenant, who will move in Oct. 1st, has requested that her employer automatically deposit rent into our account weekly.  

laminate is less expensive and is more durable  some  of the go to brands are allure http://www.homedepot.com/p/TrafficMASTER-Allure-6-...but I have used laminate from as low as $1.25 sq ft  

So they're going to look at your employment, employment history, current mandatory debts, liquid assets.

For example with the Cabela's and the large insurance employer, what happens if one of them decides to shut down or relocate? 

My employer offers a 403b with no match and I'm not sure I should take use it if that's my goal two years from now, or if there is a better way to shelter my savings for the purpose of investing in real estate in approximately 2 years.