We have used this tool moving forward and have been able to buy more cash flowing properties that we know will appreciate due to the great stats of each city the tool filtered for us.

Nope, assuming typical stats etc, all you're doing is disqualifying the both of you from getting individual mortgages.

What are your thoughts on the possible rent control and the stats on the direction Chicago is going?

@Dan Perlman, I’m pretty confident that you will not have a problem. “4155.1 4.D.1.c Analyzing a Borrower’s Employment RecordWhen analyzing the probability of continued employment, the lender must examine the borrower’s past employment record qualifications for the position previous training and education, and the employer’s confirmation of continued employment.The underwriter should favorably consider a borrower for a mortgage if he/she changes jobs frequently within the same line of work, but continues to advance in income or benefits.

Like how I could verify market stats regarding resent home sales if mls access in the area is limited ?

https://www.har.com/content/newsroomHouston Real Estate Highlights in July:

-Single-family home sales jumped 11.6 percent year-over-year, with 8,953 units sold – the greatest one-month sales volume of all time;-On ...

That's an interesting thought @Richard Weinberg, I shudder to think that that's the case, but then these days seems that companies are unwilling to examine the conflicts of interest they are creating when they attempt to enter horizontals/verticals to continue providing growth to the market!

Ok, if we're pulling stats from some public record, then fine, but this is just not a reflection of these areas.  

That can lead to picking an awful tenant that just doesn't have a social media presence for you to examine.

That being said you need to examine the lease carefully to make sure you fully understand the terms.