They are just going to use their 2nd VA loan to buy their next one while this one is tied up. 

I asked which building inspector was the most thorough, wrote the most detailed reports, and which was the one he’d use if he was buying his own property.

Our lot is fenced in and we cannot see where he lives but close enough to be of concern, but we want to stay in the same town until the kids are finished school.So, my question is this, would it make sense to rent our home (roughly $2300-2500/mo. as per real-estate agent claims), with the stipulation that the garage is used for my business AND buy a home nearby?

Buying a turn key rental, in an area you know or knew well, with a property manager you've met and trust, in an area that is large enough for you to have other options to find contractors and property managers? 

The buy in would be very flexible terms.

Have proof on hand (easy enough to find) online of the missed tax payments and any documentation that supports that he specifically didn't pay his taxes.Probably a simply mistake on his part, but now if he wants to develop on it, he either has to land lease it from you or buy it back.I'm not sure how the whole tax deed thing works, so that would be something you have to figure out between the two of you.

If you aren’t saving the money up to buy another property chances are nothing will pay a higher rate than paying it towards your mortgage.

Don’t buy into the obfuscation.

I was living abroad buying/selling real estate mostly land, and some land with structures.

Later I was able to buy the vacant lot between for a grand total of about 2.4 acres.All the houses are in bad shape.