I also do consulting.I help owners of real estate with creative real estate solutions that solve common, but complex, real estate problems.

Unemployment is to assist you in finding gainful employment so you must be actively searching and available to work (not working in your own business on the side). 

It is not common that the realtors know how to determine ARVs; they are usually more trained for retail sales.

Employment and housing sectors have improved in the past year as U.S. unemployment dipped below 5% for the first time in many years.

Your old employers should have sent W2s or you.  

Look around to see what is most common in your area, then make a few changes to stand out.Competition is actually helpful to you.

You likely won't pay self employment tax on rentals as they're passive under a partnership or sole-prop entity.

These loans are usually amortized (split up) over a 20-25 year period so payments are reasonable.There are a variety of other types of loans, but these would be the 3 most commonly used for buy-and-hold investing.

I planned to use the same tile as I use in the common hall.  

Arlington is also solid with a large number of employers like GM & Lockheed right there.