She recently became employed after taking some time off, and I have an investment stream that sometimes pays off, sometimes doesn't, in other words is not consistent.

We skipped the 401k for my husband's last job since the employer wasn't matching, but started it back up with this one- hard to turn down an extra 4.5% of his salary!

They were just about to set a closing date for our investment property, and someone in underwriting noticed that my husband's employer had declared bankruptcy.

A Realtor themselves may consider an LLC; however, they could not elect to be taxed as a C-corp or an S-corp as they are not brokers. their income is self employment income and all subject to SE tax.

The difference between the two is that profit from a flip is subject to self-employment income taxes in addition to the ordinary income taxes.Your situation is the sale of investment property, which is not a dealer disposition; therefore, only short term capital gains tax applies.

Are you employed?

Now my question, are US real estate firms willing to sponsor employers to obtain their citizenship?

In our rapidly changing world, I think the only relatively SAFE job is being self-employed.

I live in NH and work as a self-employed remodeler/contractor.  

NOT A LAWYERIMO it sounds like his employer is trying to get out of paying him and using the "$1500 in damages" to keep him from pressing the issue.