The bar is set so low for Realtors, we should be playing limbo with it.

The tricky one is the rent to income ratio and how it is related to the median family income.I did note that at lease one other poster was advised to always use the low barrier screening criteria to avoid potential lawsuits. 

PLUS, I want to identify some low hanging fruit for ways I can go ABOVE AND BEYOND the expected.

I am a long term buy and holder.I started with 30 year mortgages, but later refinanced into 15 years, and some 10 years when the government adopted the "Home Affordable Refinance Program" (HARP) at very low rates in response to the great financial crisis.

However, I will get a credit from the electric company for the excess electricity the panels produce.

Forbearance can offer breathing room without negatively impacting your credit score, but it's essential to have a clear plan for resuming payments.3.

I’m looking for the best ways to build my FICO score.Most likely, it will be a secure credit card, but do I need to have a US address in order my FICO score?

Depending on your credit score and a few other factors, you won't need a ton of cash if it's your primary.

Your best bet here is to flip it or do some kind of rent credit program. 

However, paying off your mortgage that you acquired with low interest makes no sense to most in a 7%+ interest rate environment.