Even looking back at the C/D section 8 type properties I owned at the start of my investment journey 10 years ago, those tenants weren't sophisticated enough to find me anyway even if I gave them a reason to (which I didn't).

Stellar, I've been Army for a few years now and the VA loan is the best loan product available to buy a home. 

Attempting to get in the middle of 2 sophisticated parties with a competitive middle man already in the market (commercial brokers) is tough.

In my example, you are insured to replace the HIGHER quality product what was in the house before it was damaged.

Somalia has over 40 million livestock and almost zero feed pellet production.

Renting to your mother would make it an investment property and eligible for a 1031 exchange.There is no statutory requirement for income production to make a property eligible for a 1031 exchange.  

@Edward Heavrin: Both options, but at a high enough equity you kind find long term mortgage products that will allow cross collateralization, so you can use those high equity or free and clear assets in lieu of down payment. 

(We personally do portfolio and single property loans and will be adding a HELOC product soon!)

I was investing in more sophisticated value add offerings. 

Better quality product, better installation, and making relationships is invaluable if you plan to scale.