If they both otherwise qualify and everything else is equal, I would personally take the one who is an essential worker because - at least in my state - bars have been completely closed multiple times due to COVID. 

-US Judge Learned Hand Equalizing wealth in the USA by government taxation never used to be a sought after outcome. 

Maybe you just mean that for example purpose but I just wanted to make the the distinction that cash flow is not equal to rent - mortgage.

But to put that in perspective, with the above example, everything else being equal, you would start out with $100,000 in annual cash flow and after making the tweaks mentioned you would be up to $231,250.

The real estate hit of 2008-2010 did not effect every area equally, migration out and immigration trends have changed as once poor areas have gentrified, corporations have come and gone, etc..  

E.g. ending March balance was not equal to beginning April balance.

He asks the first accountant, "What does 2 + 2 equal?" 

Essentially this means you take their existing property and exchange it for a home of equal value without having to pay capital gains tax and any other federal income taxes (I am not a CPA but I live in San Diego as well and can recommend a great CPA who does a ton of 1031 exchanges and could explain it much better!).

The most vital thing for you to be approved for an FHA loan is going to be your DTI (debt to income ratio) not necessarily your credit, as FHA is designed for people without the best credit.

VRBO is giving you equal to a 5 star rating  for every cancellation related to Covid that you refund the guest. ( and giving you equal to a 1 star rating if you do not refund or reschedule) If it is a cancellation not related to being able to travel due to Covid I would stick to my cancellation policy.