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.

Our firm invested in a MHP that spent $100,000 adding a one-acre paved gated paid parking area.

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.

As you indicated you are already going to get his actual expenses, so that's good.Most parks have paved roads but at a 19 CAP rate it looks like a good buy, however, if you want to pave the roads in the future that could be a very expensive capital improvement.You want to know who pays for water and where it comes from.

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.