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.  

Thanks for all the replies thus far.I am really only considering Raleigh since that is where the tech companies are concentrated and I'm also considering employment opportunities for myself in the area.