Other considerations:I wouldn’t be able to use remaining VA entitlement anywhere else with 0% down (except other very high cost of living areas).Extension not guaranteed but I’m in the guard so I have a lot more flexibility/freedom than active duty in where I want to live/work.More affordable condos ($520-550k range) are an option (typically no/limited guest parking, fewer amenities, etc).

I would put some kind of splash guard on the wall beside the stove for easy clean up.

There seems to be a "changing of the guard" right now with older investors cashing out and retiring and a new fresh wave of investors coming in.

Seems ideal since the school district is appealing and the coast guard.

People are often caught off guard at how much money you really need to purchase a property...which is why it's so hard to buy a property. 

When all was said and done, our $12k got us:New windows throughoutInterior and exterior painting for the house and exterior painting on the garageA small amount of roofing - The house's roof was only a year old, but the cover for the back porch never got redone for some reasonGutter guards along the whole houseNew floors throughoutNew kitchen appliancesNew bathtub enclosure (including moisture-resistant drywall)Some light electrical work (new lights, flipping out receptacles, etc) What was the outcome?

By accident, ended up in the Air National guard part time which turned into a full time gig.In 1998, sold the mutual funds and started investing in individual stocks. 

My tenant constantly complained to me and the town about the tenants of the rooming house, especially parking, because with several tenant and their guest, they wind up parking in front of other people's home.As to insurance, there's REI Guard they advertise on this site, insurance for landlords, REI Guard

National REIA has a new Insurance Partner - Arcana Insurance.I can't speak for rental property, but when I got a quote on the vacant properties we are buying, the monthly fee was well over 50% less than what Rehab Guard - NREIG was charging me.If you visit benefits on the National REIA Home Page, or business associates on the MAREI page, you will find the link to Arcana with National REIA special pricing.

A bit of the, "fox guarding the henhouse."