Since your lease doesn't include a break clause, you'll want to communicate openly and give them ample notice, ideally a few months.

Our priorities in terms of market is there needs to be- anticipated economic growth (lots of tech companies are moving into Columbus),- prices need to allow us to buy in all cash (400k or less, ideally up to 300k),- we want the area to be safe (when looking into places like Dayton, OH or Memphis, TN for instance it looks like all our boxes are checked on paper, numbers wise but we realized quickly there are a lot of unsafe areas and we could have the potential for problem tenants)- yearly expenses to be relatively low (i.e. we are avoiding NYC and the tri state area, California, etc. for having extremely high taxes).Is our initial analysis on the right track for Columbus?

We project we would still be cash flow positive even with the extra costs of the HELOC, but we would ideally rather have more cash flow then less at this timeWhat are things we need to be considering or thinking about?

You can create custom maps to mark areas of interest, track properties you're considering, and note key amenities like schools, shopping centers, and public transport.

The property's market conditions and location in Stockton made it an ideal candidate for a fast resale, aligning perfectly with our investment strategy.

In real estate, a broker or a salesperson can be the agent of a seller or a buyer.Here’s a list of the fiduciary duties that an agent owes her client:Accounting: The agent must account for all funds entrusted to her and not commingle (combine) client/customer funds with her personal and/or business funds.Care: The agent must use all of her skills to the best of her ability on behalf of the client.Confidentiality: The agent must keep confidential any information given to her by her client, especially information that may be damaging to the client in a negotiation.Disclosure: The agent must disclose to the client any information she receives that may benefit the client’s position in a negotiation.Loyalty: The agent owes undivided loyalty to the client and puts the client’s interests above her own.Obedience: The agent must obey all lawful orders that the client gives her.

It would be ideal - throw in an Orlando property, so you can take the kids to Disney once a year :) Belize, Mexico, Costa Rica.

It depends on your “ideal tenant” and strategy once you PCS.Would you be looking to rent to single officers going through training, military families with children, medical corps personnel TDY to Ft Sam Houston for several months, maybe even an AirBnB near Lackland, etc.?

Better customer service, IMHO.

Looking ahead, have a knowledgeable mentor, investor or inspector look at some of these properties, ideally with you in person.