Next would be looking at your income situation. 

It's definitely not a terrible idea to own real estate outside of a retirement account so you can take advantage of all the tax benefits, especially using the depreciation to reduce your taxable income from a w-2 job.

They provided insights into rental income expectations and market trends, which helped me identify 'good deals' that aligned with my investment goals.

I am looking for the passive income and financial freedom. 

The extra five months of rent income would have covered 50% of the renovation and saved me a lot of time and struggle.

Quite literally, if the rental income is equal to or greater than the PITI, it'll qualify (with some exceptions of course). 75% LTV is typical, but I have worked with lenders willing to do 80%.

Also, what is the monthly gross rental income that this property achieves? 

Good source of active income if done well.

Section 8 people are no different than anyone else aside from income levels.

As long as you are not understating any type of income - and I am taking vary broad view here - - and you are not, overall, defrauding the US Treasury.