I think it’s always nerve wrecking to take the first step especially with Your life savings and looking for something out of state that You cannot see if even more difficult I live.

Real estate taxes are normally the largest expense we underwrite for, and they should always be examined as they are not static (they go up!).

I can’t imagine asking anyone to loan me money... the nerve!

Examine your own goals and you'll begin to ask different questions. 

My name is Travis and I am beginning this exhilarating and nerve racking  new life path. 

I found it odd that the kitchen was the nicest part of the house in my opinion and they really didn't examine it or open cabinets or the fridge or anything.

Anything in particular I should be examining?

REI isn't easy it is hard work with some nerve racking decisions.  

And certainly if you are targetting specific neighborhoods and areas I would still encourage you to examine the cost difference in purchasing a primary home vs. using hard money with holding costs and refinance costs. 

Again, others might feel differently here.3) property level due diligence: (takes seconds to weeks per deal): here is where I drill in with the low-level details.a) pro forma popping: I examine all the assumptions, and see if they are overoptimistic or not.