The priority is consistent recommendations from active investors. 

Your VA loan will be crucial to your real estate investing growth, especially since it affords you the potential opportunity to own more than one property, depending on your overall allotment.For active military personnel, that conundrum of where to invest and where you will end up is always part of the issue that sometimes causes analysis paralysis so it's great you have one in VA Beach already.

I don't like having a job or boss but found them to be necessary evils until my cash flow was sufficient to quit. 

Linden is seeing a large amount of investment activity within residential 1-4 unit properties and newly developed facilities, which were ignited by the ONE Linden Plan.

I’m also an active member of the local landlord association in Joliet (JRLA), which has been a great resource for networking and education.

One of the best ways to engage with the community is to remain active in these forums (reading & contributing).Setting up keyword alerts is a great way to get started.All the best!

It may be helpful:I can give you some general info on insuring the property:Here are some things to look for from an Insurance prospective:1.Any in-ground tanks (active or inactive)2.Any Knob & Tube or Aluminum Wiring3.If built before 1978, does the building have Lead Safe certifications4.Any wood stoves or secondary heating units.

Everyone here wants to be active investors not passive investors.

Quote from @Allen Masry: Quote from @Chris Seveney: Do you want to be active or passive ?

If the investor is actively involved and can stay on top of materials, roll with it!