I think the most important thing is taking action and limiting your risk as you start, knowing that part of starting is going to force you to learn some things you just can’t learn otherwise so try not to focus on hitting home runs right out of the gate. 

Quote from @Julie Gates: I prefer short term debt as well.

There is a road leading to 4 ranch properties and ours is the 2nd property from the main gate.

Good on you to use this to grow your portfolio..You definitely have to get lucky to find a good builder out of the gate and may end up kissing a few frogs. 

The gate person at resort could not find my name on the list, but taxi driver who I will call Mario, convinced him to let us through.  

Don't expect to hit a home run out of the gate.

If you'll be at NAS Pensacola the entire time and you prefer to be close to base then focusing your search outside the front or back gate may make more sense. 

The village was originally just worker housing for all of the servants and businesses that served the Biltmore, and over time became a trendy & fancy little town just outside the gates.

Currently working with a Tech student and investor (won't tag him unless he wants to chime in himself) on a short sale deal that is providing him with massive amounts of built-in equity out of the gate since he was able to get it so far below market value.

The important thing is to take action and don’t try to knock it out of the park right out of the gate.