Brendan, the VA loan can be a powerful tool in your investing career especially as you continue to PCS around the country.

Identifying the fundamentals to achieve the investor 3 result is not difficult but very few understand this should be the goal of a SFR investor. 

Additionally, unrelated business income tax (UBIT) might apply if your property is financed.One option to consider is partnering funds from multiple accounts or other individuals to share in the investment, which may avoid the need for difficult-to-secure non-recourse financing.

Having a house attached makes that much more difficult. 

Dallas-Fort Worth is a smart choice, man the growth there is off the charts, and there’s plenty of room for first-timers with the drive to go all-in.I remember helping a buddy of mine who was in a similar boat to you, he was switching from a totally different career and diving into real estate.

The real question is why do you want to start your investment career learning from afar and trusting others to hold the bag for you?

However it’s hard to get that ball rolling without any deals under my belt even though I do have experience with managing a syndication and property management through my professional career. 

I don't have any debt and I don't have kids or much going on outside of my 9-5 career. 

This experience will a tremendous value to you and your investing career!

Establish long-term relationships with them.My career has been a wild ride of experiences and oh-so-valuable lessons.