Perhaps I missed it and would love to see where in the bill it states that capital gains must be used. https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/828/text#toc-H2CE36B67ACCC4F89BD0B2571450C0176The portion of an OZ fund interest attributable to any capital invested in excess of the qualified gain amount is not eligible for the OZ tax exemption. 

Since it is your property you are eligible to do whatever work you’d like as long as it’s not a commercial building.

So market fundamentals are important. 

Hi Eric, I started investing during the last downturn, not before it, but from what I gather from my mentors who not only weathered the turn, but came out ahead was a focus on the fundamentals.

If the distance you are relocating is far enough away from your first residency, you are eligible for another mortgage.

The other beautiful part of the VA loan is that once it is repaid you are eligible for another loan. 

I'd recommend working on the CPA exams as soon as you are eligible. 

There are certain types of renovations that -- because they change the fundamental demand for the property so greatly -- can easily add more value than they cost.

As @Alex Deacon said the fundamentals will never change so just know that prices have changed significantly from the 1st episode. 

Invest based on fundamentals in areas that will grow or be stable and with conservative underwriting and you'll be flying back to South Africa in first class to visit friends and family in no time.