I employ this tactic often.

I've been doing a little at a time as I can afford to  (Countertops were actually installed today.) and I planned on living there indefinitely.But, a couple weeks ago I landed a new job with a different employer that pays much better.

Figure out what area of RE you want to be in and seek employment there.

I am self-employed and won't qualify for a normal bank loan.

There are a number of employers (i.e., Merck, Aetna, and Johnson & Johnson) that employ large numbers of people, within a 20- 30 minute drive. 

1) Low vacancy (<5%)2) The 1% rule is easy to get to, 1.25% of better is available in the market3) solid employment in the area, not a city that is dependent on one thing

Seeing that most college graduates leave school with a mountain of debt versus their income from their employment I was wondering if anybody has had any luck securing traditional financing with a high student debt to income ratio?

Employed Property Agents" an apartment owner or an investor owning rentals can hire with W-2 type compensation to perform on site management duties, without having a RE license.

I was completely up front with my employer about my real estate.

Advertise on craigslist.Background, steady employment and rental history are most important to me.