If the double needs updating and you are handy, you can force appreciate the unit you are living in while paying no or almost no money for the home as your renter covers most of your expenses.By the time you are done renovating + 3-5 years give or take you have a forced appreciated property. 

If you buy a turnkey property you have very little chance to force appreciation  so you have to wait and pray for values to increase (not good).When you run your numbers in AC remember to leave wiggle room for flood insurance most of AC needs it and increase your turn over budget for when tenants move out. 

I personally like it because it forces you to set up systems to deal with the inevitable problems you face with real estate investing.

Consider using your VA loan benefit to purchase a 2-4 unit.I’m active duty Air Force and purchased three homes with my VA loan benefit.I wish you all the best.

Since there is no mention of cash on hand in your post, I am forced to assume that there is not a substantial pile that went unmentioned.

The goal is to force some equity, refi out, and leave $5k-$10k in the deal (or less).I started investing in Detroit in 2019.

After a brief engagement, they understood never to come around that building again.I yanked a few others out, with less physical force, but I knew the risks.

It's great in terms of location, but the main issue that I have is that there is no public trashcan for the bus stop.This means that people are constantly littering around my property, and I am forced to pick up all of their trash.

Always good to know what is going on in other states.Sounds really strange to force agents not to be able to have off market or pocket listings without agreements in place.

This will allow you to see the properties which can vary wildly from the photos.Last tip - dont force a buy.