Primary house purchased cash $965000Spent $75,000 updating/remodelingOther holding expenses to date: $12,600 (annual taxes and utilities for two years)Home now appraised at $1,325,000.00 We are considering selling our primary house, finding another primary that we can live and flip again over two years.

And don't even get me started on utilities.

I do not have a sheet but I typically budget $150 for lawn, $150 for pool if applicable, $100 for cable, $100 for water, $300 a month for electric (depending on property size and your local utility costs), $50 for pest control, and another $200 per month in misc. 

Are you utilizing any cost segregation studies/real estate professional status to lower the taxable income?

Not sure if you have a direct question, but reading the questions between the lines on when a property is actually considered to be in service.Facts and circumstances.Generally for a rental property it is "in service" when it is "ready and available for rent" - meaning you are marketing it for rent, and a tenant could utilize a property that day.

You can then find a multi unit that at least has one vacant unit so you can utilize your VA loan.

You should utilize resources like BiggerPockets, build a team, and use online platforms to find potential properties.

But remember that for studios, tenants typically would pay their own cable, electric and other utilities and maintenance, so the gap is bigger than just the base rent comparison.Our tenants have the option of paying an extra $10/week to have a mini-fridge in their room, and $10/week for weeks they want a window A/C unit.

FEMA rental Assistance covers the cost of monthly rent and essential utilities, gas, electric, water, trash, and sewer.

You would then do the math to remove that exemption and see what the resulting yearly tax amount would be.Since it's your first time being a landlord, it might make sense to utilize a property management company or agent to find and screen a good tenant.