Even if your 'self employment income' is small, say you do 5K worth of consulting or contracting 'on the side' to your regular w-2 job.

Another avenue would be to go to those regular rei meetings in your area and see where investors are actively buying....etc....

You get access to people not willing to just sell their house at a discount(wholesaling) but also can earn commission from regular sellers which you can test different marketing strategies on.The school I am looking to for my license is chamberlain.

Its become too cost prohibitive for a regular person making a honest income to buy a home.

A pro painter should be able to do them quickly and with a much nicer finish by using a fine finish paint sprayer (not a brush).You may consider getting a design consultation if you can find a good designer that regularly works with flippers.

I am making calls and having conversations and these pretty much feel like regular loans but with crappy rates.  

I would pay him back since all I brought was regular check book.

I don't plan on living in it.1) Can I get a regular residential mortage on it (with normal rates and down payment), or do I have to get an investment type mortgage?

There are two vibrant REIA groups that meet regularly.

This may result in the tenant having to leave however with no back ground information on the tenant you are safer finding your own tenant than keeping one you may have issues with starting out.Keep in mind finding/replacing tenants is simply part of the responsibilities landlords deal with on a regular bases in the operation of their business.