I’m renting a condo to my buddies and the neighbors are complaining to the condo association that I don’t live there anymore.The condo association wants me to give them copies of drivers licenses of the people living there but my buddies are refusing to do it.

You should connect with my buddy @Matt Deboth, he invests in Ohio and is a former Marine!

My buddy @Kobe Xin is in Houston if you'd like to connect and get a local perspective.I like to ask people: what is your ONE Thing? 

I have talked to a couple lenders and they have suggested 203k, but if I invest in Philadelphia, I have a buddy that would help me and I don't think it would be qualified as a GC technically. 

I also have a buddy who manages one.Feel free to message me and maybe I can connect you.

My buddy and I have been studying up on all things RE recently and want to develop some hard skills when it comes to the BRRRR strategy.

Side note: I also have a dog and he is my best buddy, so I love dogs but I don't think its appropriate to have them while looking at properties.

I obviously did not add a line item for vacancy costs that's something that I will need to account for as well but according to my buddy who is a General Contractor, the renovation that I’m going for should be feasible with my budget and a 12 week timeline.My thought is to then refi after a while (likely 1-2 years) and pull out somewhere between $30-$50k and then use that do fund my next deal plus the nearly $1,400/month that I’m saving from my current situation.

Look at that crazy rate spread, and that spread is ALSO why your Realtor buddy thinks VA loans have higher rates - VA loans have lower base rates, nearly everyone in the mortgage banking sector just hates veterans (according to their actions, not their patriotic words). 

I would find a property in South Vegas or Henderson (above your 225K range) , Near Nellis bases is the best area in Vegas for cash-flowing properties in your price range , BUT if you are ok with the area and can find army buddies to rent to.