@Renee Jones not sure how much you need but if you have equity in your home or another piece of real estate you could tap that.

If possible find a local partner that can potentially put some skin in the game. that local partner can then become your eyes and ears on the ground2.

Vinyl plank is likely more durable than laminate and you can take up a piece and replace it if needed (get some extra when you buy it).

Prior to this, I was looking into purchasing a piece of land and building a home using a New Construction VA loan.

AFter that you send out mail pieces and take calls positioning yourself as a tax councelor of sorts. 

they'll probably talk your ear off =)also look into house hacking if that fits your lifestyle.

When their vendors and employees want to get paid, they can't take a scissors and cut out a piece of the paper those assets are written on, and use that to pay them.Real profit is tangible, not virtual. 

That piece of “obvious” information was worth more than paying a realtor.

I do have a failure to take occupancy piece in the lease, but the wording in it really is more geared towards a 12 month lease.Thanks for your advice!

That will be a precious piece of knowledge for me.