It was a big moment in my real estate journey.

No--the rental agreement could begin a reasonable amount of time after you move out.  

Given your mobility for duty posts you can really ramp up your real estate portfolio while serving.Every time they got stationed somewhere they would purchase a property to live in using their VA and house hack.

One place is networking at a Real Estate Investors meeting.

Quote from @Angela Li: A part-time agent will have part-time success.

With that said, you can set up searches on ZIllow/Redfin or work with a realtor who specializes in investment properties, specifically value-add real estate (for your BRRR strategy) and have them set up an MLS search for this criteria that they would then send you hourly/daily/weekly/ad hoc

Ive been asked numerous times by folks if I could act as their GC for build-to-rent/build-to-sell properties.- How would this work from a lending perspective?

Smart tech like Schlage Encode locks and a smart thermostat will help you manage access and climate from afar, saving you time and stress.As an STR/MTR host & co-host in Metro Atlanta, I also suggest exploring mid-term rentals (MTRs) through corporate housing partnerships.

Today its difficult at 20-40% down to make something cash flow (in real life not on paper).

By the time I sold it, I was making $500/month more than the mortgage.