That means it is fairly easy to collect court judgments from tenants who have a long work history at a major employer.

And this is all about being self employed not all can do that many folks can only succeed as a paid employee.

You can definitely benefit from having a retirement account that you are in total control.If you don't have any retirement accounts to rollover - then you will be limited to contributions of only $5,500 per year, so in this case you can probably have a conventional account (not self-directed) so that you can build enough funds before you self-direct.However, being a real estate agent makes you self-employed and therefore eligible for a self-directed Solo 401k, which is much more powerful then SD IRA.

@Austin Seems strange that an employer can dictate what other licenses and/or business opportunities you do in your spare time.  

I ask because I'm thinking ahead about what underwriting will want for a newly employed person for an FHA 3.5% down loan on multifamily (you're trying to house hack, yes?).

Then the money is secure but not spent in advance in case of emergency and the tenant must vacate - extended out of the area medical treatment, care of inlaws or locates employment. 

(I know, but it happens)Analyze their credit report and if you feel comfortable, do a background check and make sure their criminal history checks out.Another key factor is employment history.

The advantages of Denton County are:1) Lower Price Points than Collin County (Plano Area)2) Close proximity just west of all the private sector "employment boom" of Collin County3) Safety of Denton County4) Closer proximity to DFW International Airport when connecting 35E/Sam Rayburn Tollway5) Northwest of Dallas County and directly north of resources in the Tarrant County Mid-Cities (Colleyville, Grapevine, and Southlake).  6) Many of the purchase prices in Collin County (Plano) are higher due to the hype, but the profit margins are much slimmer when rehabbing properties due to the builds being fairly new.   

My age and other things out of my control have prevented employment for over 8 years.  

Can you get employment for double per hour (or higher) than you would pay the contractor to do all your work?