This limit is across all employee buckets across all employers that the employee works for.

The IRS has rules to determine if a worker is an employee or an independent contractor.https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/independent-contractor-self-employed-or-employeeFrom the linked page: "If you classify an employee as an independent contractor and you have no reasonable basis for doing so, you may be held liable for employment taxes for that worker"

Being on payroll absolutely helps with loans - I recommend buying when employed so you can take advantage of the leverage that financing offers. 

To qualify you must have more good credit than bad, be employed for at least a year, and have no landlord tenant evictions against you.  

I know it is easier to start out as a realtor because you are employed by a brokerage as opposed to being self employed being an inspector.Another question.... can I even obtain my real estate license in the state of Ohio with a felony background?

I've only been in business down here for 1 year, and I know being self employed I need to be in business for at least 2 years to get a mortgage.

I have been self employed for fifty years and am studying the fix and flip come investor world so I can answer questions about it. 

I don't have 2 yrs of self-employed tax records.

Be wary of anyone being dodgy about volunteering their license number, or their name/employer/etc not lining up with what shows there - We aren't allowed to "DBA" without letting the federal government know. 1220177 if anyone wants a number to plug in and click around with. 

What is stable employment, one year at same job, 3 years in same profession...?