You can discriminate when you live at that premises, if the place is for a religious or fraternal organization and for employees if the employer owns the property, in such cases you don't have any offering to the public for a rental. 

Issue two is that I looked to a few lenders and tried to go the conventional route and was told by two lenders that they can't help me because I'm not fully employed.

I am currently not employed and my schedule is open all day each day except weekends.

I always thought it would be great if I could take out what I have saved in my 401k and pension plan through my employer and use the proceeds to pay off all my mortgage debt on my investment properties now, as I look at this as my future retirement fund.

In addition to over 4 miles of existing paved roadway and 8 miles of gravel roadway, the island offers strength in its utility connections and capacity.

I know many people on this blog are diehard real estate investors and would not even consider investing in anything else...but what about different types of investments such as 529 plans, simple indexed annuities, The stock market, your employer's retirement plan, etc...would you ever invest in these things or is real estate just always the better solution and all your money should go towards that?

With the double salary you can invest in twice the amount of properties, and go full time in a shorter time span.If you're really aggressive, you can also rollover your 401k into an SDIRA because you've left your current employer and now qualify that type of activity with the 401k (keep it where it is, rollover to an IRA, or any of the other options you have for leaving your employment). 

Build that capital so you can employ it for deals when they come available.  

So the advantageous 15% long term capital gain rate won't apply.Additionally, you will need to budget for self employment taxes.I agree with finding a solid CPA.

With a $40k salary and no mortgage I expect this won't be much, if anything4) If your employer offers a 401k/403b with a match, invest up to the match amount (free money!).