I'm just thinking years down the road when I have a little more risk tolerance it could be a good way to take advantage of other markets.

No that is not going to make you rich....but it will get you into the game and get you the passion for REI.Then do another, slightly more difficult, and continue down the road.

Once you experience and understand the business better you can always flip down the road.

It’s not fun to pay a tax preparer for a blank state return but it could save you big down the road (in penalties and headaches).

I read all these articles and videos where ppl swear up and down you can get financing as a new investor with low down payments or dscr loans etc. but I’m finding they all have road block catches.

Overall you will be fine, but expect some bumps in the road, it always happens.

I am currently an active duty attorney in the Navy, mostly focusing on criminal law.

I'd list EVERY lease violation, start eviction, file for vandalism, file criminal or civil charges, SCORCHED EARTH.

Do you have any plans to move back into the house down the road?  

Or are you subdividing the land into smaller parcels and building the roads and utilities infrastructure so builders could come in and start building SFH on each new lot?