.- I would like to position myself so that I could be able to work on similar deals with my business partner in the future.Any advice, including tips on finding a qualified CPA/Attorney to work with and working with someone out-of-state, would be much appreciated.

IE to qualify and create income to save for reserve fundif you don't like your job and want to get into RE then get into it.get a license decide what type you want to do and go do it

@Emilio BasaFor a conventional loan you're income is going to qualify of your Schedule E.So you could be cash flowing but depending on how you do your taxes you could be showing a loss.  

After being employed for about 6 months, we should qualify for a loan, but until then, we need to get owner financing or lease option on a property.

You don't want to waste your time or the sellers time if you don't qualify. 

That said, you still have to qualify for VA payment wise and would probably need a "normal" income stream for at least two years until you develop an income tax history.

"How would my company verify/qualify this foreign company’s standing financially or credit worthieness".

When you flip a house you cap your profits at the point of the sale but when you buy and hold you create income as well as increase your net worth.I am in no way qualified to give advice but just some of my thoughts from another newbie!

Since I was in Texas and planned on staying there I found out that I was qualified to take the real estate broker license test and I got a license.  

Also try advertising, "First month free for qualified tenant."