So...Time consuming, somewhat.Hard, no. 

Even this will be very time consuming but less so than the approach you propose. 

I practice real estate law full time, including representation of landlords and tenants in summary process and consumer protection actions.

I just dealt with this money sucker monster 8 weeks ago.I hope you havent sent money.i am planning on submitting a complaints on Consumer Financial Protection Bureau so people can be warned and he couldnt do anymore of his scam.

Usually i try to do my own marketing and purchase but i have been so busy with work and family also its just so time consuming and i think it may be better to go this route.

The checklist isn't really for consumers to look at and determine their eligibility, so that's probably why it's not so clear.  

Just because a bank is reporting profits doesn't mean they are doing it with disregard to the consumer.

I am trying to get an idea of the best moves to make after I pay off my consumer debt and student loan debt.

My husband and I were in massive amounts of consumer debt for almost 10 years of our marriage and recently paid it all off in 2013.

In general, not specific to Midwest, more detailed broken down reasons why people choose to rent could also be found in the study/survey done by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on consumer expectation below:http://libertystreeteconomics.newyorkfed.org/2014/09/why-arent-more-renters-becoming-homeowners.html#.VBANIcKSzwD