Initial Plan: Use the property as a long-term rental, aiming for cash flow neutrality or slight positive cash flow.

I think that this quote comes to mind in reading your response here: "It is difficult to get a man to understand something, when his salary depends on his not understanding it." 

It looks like there are other ways to verify their salary but no real way to do a background check. 

I’ve written letters on behalf of clients in similar positions to yours reserving the right to request the improvements be removed in the future.

Never thought I'd be in this position at the beginning of 2020, so I thank the program and community for propelling me to step outside my comfort zone to THINK BIG.

You could look at a seller carryback 2nd (seller-financed 2nd position loan), but DSCR lenders will vary in whether they allow this and by how much. 

There are several ways to offset income, even with positive cash flow.

If not worse.The difference is negligible in your position, holding over 5M in equity, your time is better used elsewhere.

But ensure it is legit, if you are audited, and you didn't rightfully take the position, it's not just the tax - you'll be hit with late payment penalties, substantial underpayment penalties, interest, and potentially fraud related penalties if it can be determined that you knew you didn't meet the qualifications but claimed it anyways. 

:Class A Properties:Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, 3-5 years for positive cashflow, but you get highest relative rent & value appreciation.Vacancy Est: Historically 10%, 5% the more recent norm.Tenant Pool: Majority will have FICO scores of 680+ (roughly 5% probability of default), zero evictions in last 7 years.Class B Properties:Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, decent amount of relative rent & value appreciation.Vacancy Est: Historically 10%, 5% should be applied only if proper research done to support.Tenant Pool: Majority will have FICO scores of 620-680 (around 10% probability of default), some blemishes, but should have no evictions in last 5 yearsClass C Properties:Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, high cashflow and at the lower end of relative rent & value appreciation.