The washer/dryer is right next to the stove and that's not the kind of place that commands $1500/month rents.

Imagine if your commanding officer told you they were redeploying you to a locale you had  previously been deployed to a year ago, but he said they were going to pay you less money because you'd done that job just nine months ago? 

Plus if a military tenant is late or defaults, I can call his command if need be. 

Jeff, there is no right or wrong answer to your question, the question is how much risk you want to take for the yield you are commanding for your capital investment in real estate. 

What kind of military commander would have such a requirement?

If you are looking to be easy on the eventual owner - and perhaps command a small premium in sales price - you can build a 1200 ft^2 energy efficient (lookup: Passivhaus) home, where the end-user's energy costs could be as littles as $250 - $500 per year.Capital costs to build a Passivhaus will be a little higher (10 - 20% pending on available skills and experience in your area) here in NA, but the end result is a home that is 70 - 80% more efficient than what is typically being built.

The land is there, and available and would only command whatever price is reasonable for raw land, but this would essentially be a new manufactured home community.

So the program is not intended for heavier fixers.We also had to demonstrate with a letter from our command that we had steady future income, so it is more difficult (but not impossible) at the very end of a career. 

My mother still works in her respective field and commands a great salary but she lost her patience with the property after some major setbacks and lessons learned through being a landlord.  

But the area commands long term tenants, so my turnover costs will be very low.For me, the 2% rule/guideline and the 50% rule/guideline dont work.