The upside is ensuring I am completely covered, dotting my i's and crossing my t's and ensuring good rent.3) Rip out the additional bed and bath (I am thinking about ripping out the kitchen anyway because I don't want renters treating it as a two-family unit within the two family). 

Odds are reasonable that if you try to accomplish anything in life, you're going to meet a good cross section of both.So, it's made you stronger -- you sit back for a while, lick your wounds, cry into your beer, rebuild your asset base, then get back into the fray.

Welcome to my series on purchasing a home and using your VA Benefits.I am George Freelove a Marine Veterans and real estate professional / consultant.I have over 40 years of experience in the home building, mortgage and real estate world.Purchasing a home is a very important decision and a big undertaking in any one’s life.Most people only choose to purchase a few homes over their life time.My goal is to make sure that you are well equipped and armed with up to date information for your big decision.Over the next few weeks we will discuss buying a home using your VA Benefits.The nitty gritty of the process, where to start, how to get a VA Loan finding the right mortgage lender, finding the right Realtor, finding the right home, what costs to expect, how does the process work, what can I expect from my Realtor, my Lender and the Seller.So let’s take this journey together!

Maybe I just answered my own question but this would be a big move for me and I just want to make sure I cross all my t's and dot all of my i's. 

Especially in philly or any Other densly populated area that changes from lofts to ghetto just by crossing one road, zoomIng out behond anything on that block Is pointless.

I would avoid crossing anything out.

You live in NC so I'm assuming you're either Marine near the coast or Army farther inland.

But I think an actual check as a gift would be odd and crossing the line between professional and personal.The reason I'd opt for a nominal gift is because landlording is a "people" business and getting married is a major milestone in someone's life.   

Cross-promotion.

You can then get a vague estimate as to whether they can actually afford the property.Second, you should consider the area and cross-reference that area's median income with your prospective tenant.