A jealous boss or coworker could get you in deep water, unless you are self-employed.

You could also link to articles affecting your markets (new employers, new construction) and real estate in general.

Look at the major employers in your area and what average household income rates are.

I'm not having an easy time finding a company to do the refi as I'm self-employed and that brings some challenges. 

Please see additional considerations below.If you are eligible to set up a self-employed Solo 401k (or have a 401k plan through an employer which accepts rollover contributions and allows for 401k participant loans), another alternative which would avoid taxes and penalties would be to transfer your funds to such a 401k plan and then take a 401k participant loan.

I made the transition to self-employment in 2018.

Please consider confronting the lender by asking why this request was made of your employer?

Turbo tax is telling me to put it on a schedule C under just self employment.

Instead of employing a third party, you may want to consider partnering with an experienced operator as a JV partnership on this deal.  

-Ability to set up corporation to pay less taxes (would this be the 7.5 ssn, or are there others), deduct all expenses related to business activities (gas driving to rentals, CPA/Attorney fees, home office possibly, etc.)You have already mentioned that rental income is taxed at a lower rate due to no self employment tax.