If making money quicker is of less importance, and you are more prone towards self employment, just be a solo agent at another brokerage.

Invested in common areas, exterior improvements, power washed, re-paved, etc., Did light cosmetic upgrades that make a big difference in retaining and attracting new tenants.

My current employer has good coverage plus 401k.

Solid employment, 2 year income history (tax returns).

Please note that you are obligated to pay back their 401k (regardless of the performance of your real estate investment).Per the loan offset rules that went into effect with the 2018 Tax and Job Act: if you leave your job and the loan is current at the time you leave your job but then the loan goes into default because you left your job, you will have until your tax return deadline (including any timely filed extension) to make the loan current by depositing the outstanding balance into an IRA (and thereby avoid the taxes and penalties that would otherwise apply).If you are self-employed with no full-time employees & you can rollover the funds, you could set up a Solo 401k, rollover the funds and take a 401k loan from the Solo 401k. 

Before I could move in, I ended up leaving that company and moving back to my earlier employer with in six months.  

Make money at self employed business (retail store) where I work with my wife as well.

As long as productivity, employment rates, and income aren’t negatively affect home prices will continue to rise as inventory stays tight.

Yes, being self-employed or a 1099 independent contractor will require 2 years of tax returns for the lender...unless something has changed that I don't know about.

Good location for me is an area with stable employment base, steady population growth and I like houses near schools or parks.