Every transaction will require at least 2 years of tax returns, at least 2 months of bank statements, employment verification, explanations of large deposits and credit inquiries.... 

There are definitely some intricate restrictions with doing this that make direct investment in RE a challenge (I won't go into gory detail unless asked) ... therefore, I think that notes, hard money loans, or private placements are the way to go for retirement REI investments.Another poster mentioned a strategy that I employ ...

His real income is about $45k/month, consistently and conservatively.The max number on his preapproval letter is based on about $14k/month in income, because it just so happens that his employer felt that 1099 would be more tax beneficial for them than W2.

It is a big segment in which to find employment, should you choose that.Of course, there is money to be made! 

Difference is that customers of Uber are NYC residents who vote while customers of Airbnb are visitors who don't, and Uber drivers earn a full time employment living while Airbnb hosts earn a few extra bucks when they leave town (exception for the businesses set up as Airbnb marketers).  

I was looking for neighborhoods with good employment prospects and lower crime rates and thought those both looked good. 

Number one thing is find some form of employment. 

I'm currently employed for a very small family run start up tech company.  

I'm also employed 28 years  at a waste water treatment plant.

Make sure you reach out to some agents, check your local municipality business page to know any upcoming business coming in or closing down, research the market(employment, population:increasing/decreasing, etc) again all of this is available online.