I am currently in the process of attempting to close on my first home (tentatively 7/14) in SE Washington, D.C.

I am in the process of repairing my credit but wanted o se add mint to get started.

Proving your SE income will be challenging enough, but if you've been in business a few years and can document tax returns, bank deposits, etc. that show a strong income, that should still work.

The properties are performing, so no reason to sell per se. 

Also, I wonder if I could find a way to make it a rentable space without it being a “unit” per se?

I'm a huge fan of SE Michigan, but please get educated on the different communities, their laws, and the potential for growth. 

@James DeRoest,It is not a requirement per se.

She got her CAreal estate license along the way to give her access to MLS, access to homes for sale as she wants, and to save on commissions.She/We don't flip per se, but (with only one exception) typically buy houses with opportunities for improvements, and then improve them while we/renters live in them, and then sell them a few years later.I am lucky enough to have married into a mini-RE mogul ;-)I call myself a reformed lawyer.

I am a newbie in the SE Idaho but am open to learning how to get things moving in other areas without physically being there to view/oversee everything.

Eden Prairie and the SW metro is definitely more upscale than the SE metro.