I am self-employed since 2014.

It may be necessary for you to transactioneer your deal by employing two, different escrow companies.

They have new jobs at very good employers and make well beyond three times the rent.

Thanks @Cal C. and @Steve Vaughan  My wife and I have decent income so qualifying shouldn't be an issue at this point, but I wanted to make sure I wasn't missing other issues or pitfalls by employing this strategy. 

Make sure your employer won’t still withhold tax, especially if they are California based.

Looking back, I wish we would have rented it out as my next employer provided housing.

But generally, you want to look for job growth and/or population growth/stability and a variety of employers.

I assume there's more employment in Norfolk and that the potential tenants there would probably not want to cross the bridge either.When I'm looking at the MLS prices in Norfolk and Portsmouth I like what I see.  

A Business admin and finance degree look good on resumes and for employers.

This particular property is in a great location in a growing city with several large employers and higher education institutions.