Bank statements only tell you HALF the income story with a self employed person.

Background: 20-year veteran mechanic and business owner. I transitioned from the shop floor to business ownership in 2014, launching a successful small engine sales and service company.Transitioning Professional with ...

Hi everyone,
I’m looking for some direction on next steps and would really appreciate collective guidance from this group.
Here’s a snapshot of my current situation:
Portfolio
2 single-family homesOne is my former...

Check paystubs and call the employer.

Location: Glenwood Springs, CONotable employers in the area include Valley View Hospital, Colorado Mountain College, and Aspen Ski Co.

That mix has historically produced steady in-migration, above-average income stability, and lower volatility compared to more speculative markets.Why job rankings matter for real estate investors:• Job growth fuels population growth• Population growth supports rental demand• Diverse, high-skill employment reduces downside risk• Stable employment bases tend to protect occupancy during slower cyclesThis doesn’t mean prices always go up or that every deal works.

Yesterday was a loud reminder that employment stability is changing shape.Humana stock dropped roughly 20% after the Trump administration proposed keeping Medicare Advantage rates flat, directly pressuring margins for one of Louisville’s largest employers.

If you market your rentals and ask prospective tenants to fill out credit/employment/ criminal background checks first could be very likely a Fair Housing violation!

Although self-directed IRAs aren’t subject to the employer plan catch-up mandate, rollover flows and personal retirement tax planning around catch-ups depend on how employer plans handle the transition.Source(s):IRS Treasury final regulations on SECURE 2.0 catch-up provisions.

They can create a false sense of precision and can be risky if they’re applied too mechanically.What I’ve found works better is a consistent review process rather than a numeric score — looking at the same core categories every time (income stability, employment consistency, rental history patterns, documentation quality), and then documenting why something is solid, uncertain, or needs follow-up.Two applicants can land at the same ‘score’ but carry very different types of risk, and that nuance is usually what matters.