The neighborhood was not great and that didn't bother us until we had our first child. 

I’m 26, single mom of an elementary school child.

Thanks, @Brent Tarnow congrats on the newborn!

With a new child in your near future you will have plenty of time to study and little time for anything else for possibly several years.This site is full of information and has many suggestions on books to read.You will need to concentrate on also building your own credit.

There was a previous tenant with a child who's 8 I believe.  

In fact, many parents have used a home purchase in a college town to set up housing for their own child / student.....as well as to make it an investment for themselves by renting out the other rooms, thus providing free housing for their own child and getting a decent ROI on the property.

It was friggin child's play.

She laughed and said what he sent was a one page contract that looks like a child wrote it.

This rule applies for any other type of documented income or assistance: food stamps, alimony, child support, etc.

Guy who had rent problems now lives alone and you are now dealing with someone with recent bad rent, a mad fiancee(ex fiancee) and a possible future payment for child support...if you think that's a remote possibility after meeting them then you know what I would choose.