I feel like there’s a balance between being decisive and being reckless, and I’d love to hear how you guys approach this.

And we have an ownership in all of the communities we operate, so that is incorrect information.

to your point, if you save up so that you're in a strong financial position, house hack a solid duplex in a decent neighborhood, make smart decisions, and hold it indefinitely, you'll be fine.conversely, if you have $0 and somehow start out with a risky flip, or borrow $20K and spend it all on a magic mentoring program, or buy a terrible property in a neighborhood you've never been to, you may not be fine.

I want INFORMED clients.

This can put a significant strain on your finances and cash flowThey also often require a large down payment themselves and may have a strict repayment schedule that can be difficult to meet, especially if there are unforeseen circumstances or delays in renting the property or generating income from itIn addition, relying on this type of loan may expose you to higher financial stress and the possibility of default if you are unable to meet your loan obligationsThe final decision depends on your overall financial situation, risk tolerance, and your ability to manage the associated costs and obligations

I think most successful investors would tell you that, while you need to take tax into account in your decisions, you shouldn't make a decision based on that alone.

I can sell it at any time for a profit, so I'm hoping to let it run and pay for itself for a while before we make another decision on it.

Most of the other posts provided general information that is good to know but did not answer the specific question. 

However, I haven't been able to find any official information confirming whether this is legal or if it violates any laws.I'm hoping someone here might have experience with this or know of a reliable source that can clarify the legality of contacting a tenant's commanding officer.

Maybe we can arrange a time to chat sooner if you'd like more information.