To answer your questions:1) Any IRA can be self-directed (Traditional, SEP, Roth).2) You can buy rentals as well as flip properties in an IRA.

Is this a rental?

You may consider mid term rental as that area would support that strategy and you should be able to close that gap of PITI and income. 

Hello @Richard Benjamin Wilhite,We usually do 2-4 weeks before move-in date.We have listed rentals 4-6 weeks in advance as long as the apartment is vacant or the tenant allows regular access (2-3X per week) to show the apartment.All the best!

This would be my 3rd rental property by the way.

I'd like to make some rental friendly upgrades and upgrades In general to my 1910 home but don't know where to start. 

Other reasons for denial involve other risk factors, such as, 1. rental history and prior landlord verification 2. credit score3. employment history and verification4. income v. rent ratioetc. 

I used to live in northern Illinois, so close to Wisconsin - there are several smaller towns around lakes that would be good for short term rentals. 

If property insurance, it should already be covered by your insurance company and you can ask them to add loss of rental coverage.

Currently the rental income im getting is covering 30% of the monthly motgage payment so i was wondering is that was a good ratio to justify the house hack.