How did you mitigate the missing income and expense data?

If you are just dealing with a sales and marketing company then you won't have the accountability and you will be paying additional unnecessary markup.

Some states have source of income protections that would not allow you to decline an applicant solely based off of their participation in section 8.

Also, you have the person teaching it as a resource should you need additional help in the future (depending on the course). 

The same $5,000 put in TBills and rolled over would net you $1,622.36 with zero risk, liquidity should you need it and no state income tax.Furthermore, I find Spark's claims dubious at best.

Additionally, I have signed-up for a couple of meet-up events in my area to get any advice and insight.

Are there any additional methods I may have overlooked?

However, we did due diligence and took her through the screening process she had good credit, passed background check but her income wasn't sufficient , former landlord spoke well of her.

Another pitfall is under improving properties in low income areas believing that since its a depressed area in terms of income the people will not have high standards. 

These are professionals with additional training and a stricter code of ethics.