I would benefit from this program because it would decrease my 1:30-2 hours commute down to under 30 minutes.

Personally I like the Section 8 program when the property is located in a super poor area with a ton of blight and crime.

The point is that most of the books and gurus out there will sell you the dream and get you hooked on buying into their programs without giving you all the nitty gritty details.You're running a business and must treat it that way. 

With a teaching and leadership backgroud, I have an interest to help others write their programs or review their presentations to address every learning style.

I am not a member in any "gurus" programs nor am I foolish enough to believe that the whole picture is provided by these gurus.

Are there specific military programs or contacts I should look into for housing opportunities?

Many of your main TV companies won't pay a claim on a property vacant for more than 30 days.8) Renters Insurance: how are you going to get S8 tenant, who qualified for the program via a string of bad financial decisions, to pay for it?

Most people I know start with low money down programs so they can get away with a initial capital investment of around $25k but you also need reserves.  

My brokerage is part of Anywhere RE, we have the biggest names under our umbrella (ERA, Caldwell Banker, Sotherbys, BHG, Century 21) and we have a fantastic referral program that I can hand pick an agent anywhere in the country and interview them for you to make sure they have the qualities you are looking for.

The townhouse we are looking at has a Certificate of No Harassment in place, open violations and a vacate order.