@Scott Trench go at night and get your employer@Joshua Dorkin to sponsor you!!!  

If there is a college nearby or an employer that employs a lot of young professionals I would be more comfortable.However if the area "grows up" 1 BR might be a requirement for most renters and 2 BRs more desirable.You also are in the "no-man's" land of too big for residential loans - but too small for on-site management. 

Don't take yourself too seriously, especially if you're self-employed.

Assuming Smartmove recommends the applicant, we get tenant references from prior landlords, assuming they have rented previously and lastly income and/or employment verification.The applicant pays for the Smartmove screening which is $35 currently.  

From what I have researched thus far, the solo 401k or self directed IRA have a qualifier of being self employed, correct?  

I'm down here in Texas and through exploring the local area I have found a number of nicely priced duplexes near a military base which got me thinking; Is anyone here willing to share their experience owning rentals in a place where there is only one major employer?

I am a real estate agent that license is currently inactive, as this was a requirement of my employer because of the conflict of interest.

Scott Scheel mentions that for bigger properties it is tough to get a good deal in markets that are already showing good indications of future growth (either already in the process of growing, or showing the "obvious" increases in population/job growth) He says the best deals are frequently found in weak or even declining markets where you have much better leverage with sellers.This is a risky proposition because real estate trends seem to last quite a while, but if timed correctly an investor can do much better than average by getting in early before the rest of the herd does.Do you guys have any ideas of how to anticipate a potential turnaround area before the census data refects it (IMO this data is a beacon to RE investors) I have a couple ideas I think may be worth looking into:-Projected inflow of large, new employer-New transportation artery-Unaccounted change (in census data) of demographics (undesirables moving out, nicer crowd moving in)-Perhaps a well structured conversation with someone at the economic planning department to find out how close to fruition some upcoming changes are taking place.

It's in a small high end subdivision on a new cul-de-sac that's already paved, but there are about 10 new lots and none are built on yet in that section.

I just hope my tenants stay employed.