being a larger brokerage has no detriment.  

It has all the components to make this a very dynamic market for years to come and believe once you get here, you will do awesome. 

If you can't keep the units rented or have a fluctuating market this could be detrimental since you have to keep making the monthly payments with or with out tenants.

Poor credit is such a detriment - both in your personal finances and this business. 

Where is the value add component?

What I think I'm going to is attach this addendum I found online that specifies I'll be sub-metering the two units using option (b) formula based allocation:"If a Utility Bill is sent, each Utility Bill shall be based on either (a) an estimated or actual reading of the sub meter for Resident’s Unit, OR (b) the previous month’s actual bills for the Utilities for the Property allocated to Resident pursuant to an allocation formula based, in whole or in part, upon at least one or more of the following components: the number of Units at the Property, the number of occupied Units at the Property, the square footage of the Unit, the number of occupants in the Unit, and the number of bathrooms in the Unit.

And of course, they should have worker's comp on themselves or if your state allows, a waiver.

Deciding how much savings you need is the other key component, and arguably more important Ideally, you'll want to have enough available to cover medical events, long term care etc..

Keep in mind the DTI ratio is a key component to underwriting consumer mortgages and you may eventually want to seek out a portfolio or commercial lender.

I also have served in the Army for the last 10 years in a reserve component.