After that's under control, focus on increasing income through additional work at your current job, taking on a side hustle, or finding ways to increase income on your existing rental.At the same time, educate yourself.

I intend on sending the tenant a bill for the exact repair cost as "additional rent" (per the lease) instead of evicting in the winter and deducting from the security deposit.

Plumbers can separate lines, but trenching and additional work can drive costs into the $5,000 –$10,000 range.

In short, I can afford the additional $1100/mo cost of a second house, even until I rent it out.I have around $35K in HYSA and emergency funds that I could use for a down payment, but that's less than 20% which would be required for a conventional loan, assuming full purchase price.

Additionally, Mr.

Additionally, the beach is still within reach...just a short 1 hour flight or 6 hour drive.  

This is due to bonus depreciation which allows taxpayers to deduct 40% of qualifying property costs in the first year, in addition to regular depreciation for new construction and improvement.

In addition to offering "cash for keys" assure them that they can use you as a referral on their next tenant application, or offer them a short term-2 month lease.

It was held by the previous owner for a very long time, so I wouldn't be surprised if some basic facts about the house are incorrect.I was making an offer on a house a couple years ago and discovered that the owner was paying taxes on an additional house that was on the neighbors lot and didn't know it!

Additional costs will creep in and costs seem to go up faster than rents, so I would sell and try to otherwise optimize the VA loan.