@Grace Norton adding to what's been written already, you'll want to get a 2-year work history for both.To consistently pay rent, requires consistent income, which requires consistent employment.Pretty simple concept!

If you chose to go out of state, then I would be sure to pick quality locations (B class or better).

April is a safe month to "play the market" if you will, because the market starts picking up as a whole then but, a good reliable tenant to me always seems better than making a few hundred more a month.

I am wondering if it's as simple as just purchasing the car under my own name like a regular car and next year just add that car to a schedule C while I keep everything else still in Schedule E. 

We go by a simple concept, just do what you agreed too in the contract, nothing more, nothing less - if that happens then we all win.

Now the business itself is rather simple. 

This is very simple. 

Not to say that you'd pick crappy materials, but contractors with experience have manufacturers and suppliers that they know guarantee their products and that helps them know they can stand behind their work. 

I would advise picking one of those strategies and rolling with it.

It's deceptive practice, plain n simple.