We had to fly to check on our properties for 3 years when my husband was transferred out to the west coast, and it adds a lot of costs even when there are no emergencies so you can plan cheap flights, rental cars and lodging.

My perference is to go with a lender who will require the least amount of my own money in the deal (even if that means higher points/rates) although I have the cash reserves (I would like to keep the reserves for qualifiing and emergency purposes).

Good luck as you start investing and don't be shy about looking at emerging markets and areas with high Rent rates.

A couple of the many examples are: - When the house was broken into we called the emergency answering service to ask if the PM was the one who had entered the house before we called the police to file a report.

My rental house caught fire and I had a reserve of 6 months payments built up for emergencies (didn't know about the 50% rule at the time).

I was at Costco today and saw that they sell tubs of emergency food.

You will see a pattern emerge about rents.Don't over price the property.

Sounds like you got charged emergency plumbing rates.

I would say your commitment to serve has demonstrated that you already have the capacity to make personal sacrifices that most of us don't.You do need to account for times you are deployed or can't respond to emergencies, either via a PM or trusted contractor though.

I have great connections in that town, so not a problem with emergencies as plumber, HVAC, electrician, handyman all know me well, will go out with very short notice and just bill me, and I have family in the area if I really had to bother them, like for a fire or something.