It was an absolute slog full of apologizing for our house when friends/family would visit.

He was my inlaws realtor when they bought their first house, and we have used him for 3 single family home purchases.

The plan is indeed to house-hack.

You do not have the opportunity to look inside the house before bidding so you're buying sight unseen.

It is a 2 bed, 1 bath house, in which he is subletting to at least 3 or 4 other people.

Quote from @Jeff Calcaterra: We have a potential tenant new to the area who has gone through a paid background check, signed a background check authorization form, sent us a LinkedIn profile, sent an offer letter and says he is willing to send us paycheck stubs, but says he doesn't want us to call HR to verify employment because he is supposed to have found housing already.

@Collin StewartSince you're PCSing to Columbia, SC, and have VA loan entitlement remaining, house hacking a small multifamily with a VA loan is a strong option since it requires zero down.

Nice situation where talking to a neighbor resulted in the purchase of a house! 

Quote from @TC Scott: When selling a house as you know the fees typically come from the seller's net proceeds (commission, closing costs etc.).

They will tear your houses up man lol.