There is a FHA loan that enables you to only put 31/2% down as long as you live there for usually a year.  

With a lower down payment, it would enable me to utilize the funds I have for the renovation, which I already have a team in place for.

. :) My wife and I just had our first child, and this strategy is enabling us to have her stay at home.

On the other hand, I do realize that I could be cash flowing more per year if I did not hire management thus enabling me to purchase more properties sooner. 

Another huge benefit of doing this is the VA loan and what it enables us to do.  

You are also correct that the monthly income generated can enable someone to quit working a "normal" job if they desire.  

By owning rental properties you can survive through most recessions and those happenings should not reduce your occupancy and enable your rentals to keep on paying.  

That enabled me to buy a couple more.By August 2015, I had 4 properties, was under contract for a 5th and was managing a 6th.  

Upon return form this deployment I will be debt free and have significant capital to dive head first in my first investment. my goal during this final year on contract will be to establish as much of a real estate investing foundation as I can in order to enable full time attention once I separate from the Marine Corps.I would like to gage your opinions on how best to dive into this world of real estate investing upon my return from deployment.I'll have anywhere from 30-40k in capital devoted to starting this endeavor.

@Elizabeth Wilson  then their conversion rate will be small... just glorfied landlords basically taking advantage of non English speaking minorities.. or the less educated.. pretty old game really.