As virtually all of my wealth and assets will be tied up in real estate, it seems like if the time to begin diversifying hasn't already come, it will after this next round of purchases. 

I asked him a few simple questions about how long do I need to be employed year round for me to qualify for a loan he obviously said 2 years from the time you start full time for year round, which for me was April 2015.  

It is in Round Rock Tx on the west side of I35 near Cat Hollow.

We had a round table discussion about buy and hold rental properties.

Buy this one after the first one above.From FNMA, "Second Home Requirements"...must be occupied by the borrower for some portion of the yearis restricted to one-unit dwellingsmust be suitable for year-round occupancythe borrower must have exclusive control over the propertymust not be rental property or a timeshare arrangement 1cannot be subject to any agreements that give a management firm control over the occupancy of the property1 If the lender identifies rental income from the property, the loan is eligible for delivery as a second home as long as the income is not used for qualifying purposes, and all other requirements for second homes are met (including the occupancy requirement above).See that little footnote there, the "1"?

Year round rentals are in high demand.

They also have a very round about way of doing some things that I think could be automated to one transaction.

Or has it really just helped round you out more than anything?

This sounds scary... the basics (I am rounding some here)Value: 2.1MPrice: 1.75M - Instant equity of ~$350k, but it is effectively locked up for ~5 yearsOkay, so for the first interest only 5 years, with the anticipated higher rents, cash flow is ~$32k/yr.

Freddie denied the short sale despite several rounds of negotiations and accepted terms by me and the servicer (BOA).