Advantages investing while on Active Duty

AS i transition , I just wanted to capture some points that are available to service members that start their RE investing career while on active duity. The VA loan program has already been talked in several forums, so I will focus on other non financing areas. Some key points there are several advantages you can leverage while on Active Duty and going through the usual Military PCs cycle (2-4 years Home station tour) followed by overseas or in CONUS move, with deployment or overseas tour in regular intervals. . One way is to leverage your own network of contacts, both in present unit and contacts you built up over the years. Ask Who has been to Base So-So, and you can get some feedback on what the area is like and what areas to look at. This isn’t local ground truth, but it is feedback from other S.M that will be your primary tenant pool when leaving. You also go through Newcomers orientation , where families are briefed in area and it’s a chance to find out what is being put out by Post agencies’ and what family housing is offering . You can find out about potential wait lists, and what on- base housing looks like. Once settled in – you have 2+ years to settle in area, and build your support system for rental(s) when you leave. You can find/vet contractors, PMs and learn the area so you can develop several exit strategies if necessary and ensure they are priced accordingly. If your presnet duty locaiton is big enough or Higher HQs , headquarters, you may have opportunity to fly back and check rental due to official travel or conferences. For example, Fort Bragg is a Higher HQ and your have to go there for a week, spend a lunch with PM to get updates and drive area at night to see if improving, and how the tenant is taking care of property. Also due to PCS cycle, you have “opportunity” to recapitalize by serving in deployment or hardship areas. These aren’t preferable but one good point about bad situation is chance to save $$ for year + so when you make next move, you have more down payment available Another advantage is that you can take advantage of owner occupied mortgage rates on your property ,and keep these favorable rates once you leave and turn it into a rental property. This also gives you the opportunity to do a live in flip and add some sweat equity into the property .