I currently am working a contract position that is not permanent and from asking around it seems like it is hard to get approved for a conventional mortgage when you do not have permanent employment.

I won’t be fully employed during these four years, but I will have income in the form of student loans.

Should I be considering percentage of absentee owners, days on market, vacancy rates, employment information, age demographics etc?

Nevertheless, I'm still actively seeking legal-esque employment because I want to make money.

As I study more about rei and what a good market is (where there is employment etc) I keep coming back to my military roots.

I also get employers phone numbers, see how long they have been working there, it just shows stability.

Pennsylvania requires employment with a brokerage firm prior to be granting a license; however, I have no interest in representing a brokerage firm. 

I'm employed by a railroad company and currently in school to be a combo welder.

From a more non-RE Specific place, can a self-employed individual working from home office write off housing expenses?

This is specifically designed for entrepreneurs who are self employed.