Most of the new homes I'm seeing are two-story, 3 and four bedroom, 2 to 3 bath with usually one half-bath on the main floor, full basements, 2 car attached garages.The market for more modest homes seems a bit slow due to the on-going employment and lending issues in the area.Rentals seem to not be empty very long at all, certainly, presumably for similar reasons: employment is soft and lending is a bit dear.Hoping you'll share your experiences.

On the surface, I don't see any major problems with allowing him to be employed as a private contractor.

Bottom line;  investigate local employers, available jobs, ideally new employers moving to an area so good tenants will always have good jobs to pay the rent.

Basically I don't fit neatly into a traditional income and employment box.

.)- Median Rents by Number of Bedrooms- Unemployment Rate- Employment Sectors PercentagesAlso take into consideration the direction in which each of these market indicators are trending.

My company already owns (we developed) an RV Park, a 6 plex, and several other single family rent homes that we are rehabbing at the moment.Also, once “self employed” how do you go about proving employment?

There is usually a higher business cost to use those experienced contractors who are properly insured and have a great track record.One of the few times I see investors get a great rate and high quality work is if either they employ the contractor directly so their jobs are the sole focus or they do lots of volume to give a contractor team consistent work.It sounds like you are playing in the one off space with an non-certified contractor hours away from where you are.

Calling prior landlords, verifying employment etc.. 

Also, I hear Huntsville, Alabama is actually poised to be #1 in employment growth, so that's definitely great for your long term rentals there!

My goal is to make enough passive income to “retire” in my 40’s ( 7-10 years) My wife and I are still employed, but my wife no longer can work overtime.We have money to invest in our first rental property, but should I use the Cares Act to pull money from my 401k without penalty and invest in more properties?