He is a self employed mechanic and his wife is an RN.  

I started with my first househack: a duplex in 2005 that now rents for $950/ea, and in next years bought two more SFR that cashflow -> inspired by rich dad/poor dad reading and working construction while finishing an OPS degree at WWU.Operated a seasonal campground, self employed in the off season and just saving pennies like a mad-man while the family grew and happily had to feed more mouths.

I'm interested in any good advice about employing brokers and directions to take.

I've also started to venture into parts of Iowa and some rural areas anchored by a large employer.  

You have to be employed by a realtor company, like Comey shephard or Sibcy cline or whatever it may be.    

Okay, as Curtis mentioned, there are exceptions for "on-site" property managers who are employed by an owner and who do not conduct those services he mentioned for any other property owner. 

Andy, Solo 401k plan is not for everyone (you must be self-employed or own a small business without full-time employees other than the business owner(s) and spouse), however if you qualify for it - in most cases it would be a much better choice for most people (you don't need a custodian with it, you don't need an LLC to gain the checkbook control, you can borrow from your plan up to $50K before retire, just to name a few advantages).

So, my husband and I are self-employed and bought a home to live in in September 2014 at almost the max we were allowed to purchase, according to what our tax returns say.

I have always wanted to be a self employed businessman but however i did not know what industry or market sector i would specialise in.

The influx of people also drove down the vacancy rates and rents are creeping up a bit but there is a constraint there due to the nature of employment in the city.Regarding 515 Campbell, it has some fairly significant challenges.