I am in the US Air Force and have about 5 months left of my enlistment.

I'm not sure if I want to re-enlist or not but if I did I was thinking of using the VA loan on a duplex and me and my wife would live in one side to get started.

However, if you decide you would like to enlist an agent to help you with your search and purchase, I'd welcome the opportunity.  

You'd be well served to enlist the help of a local RE professional that's really familiar with these.. nuances, so to speak.There are at least a few of them on this forum.

I enlisted the help of a friend when looking at my first property - I found it and had them show it to me.

However, if I didn't really have anything to lose, I would be trying ANY method/strategy to start and see where it goes.For now, I'm focused on building relationships with real estate agents, lenders, etc so I can enlist their expertise when I am ready.

As to contacting the title company, I wait until I have the property under contract and then enlist their services.

I would like to potentially get New Orleans; however, this is unlikely for a second enlistment. 

If you cater to higher enlisteds or officers they will pay rent, not doing so are career killers.

I may enlist his services in the coming year as I grow mostly for a 2nd set of eyes.