They also didn't get hit with capital gains on the entire purchase price, which enables them to keep more of their money. 

Everytime you sell you will be taking part of the gain tax free. 

Thus, my main goal joining this forum is to try to gain confidence in the decision to get into real estate investment and better understand the risks that I may not be considering due to my lack of experience in the field.

IF my numbers are truely "too low" I just looking gain confidence in how I am analyzing properties and estimating repairs.  1710 10TH AVE N, 37208: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1B0CoSbGxQFbRBVzXBERw...6121 Southampton Dr 38119: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1a3WBEcgv2SMggu5P2HrK...2014 Salem Mason Dr, 27208: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Jzr5TN9PYhuiFuD2THLb...Spoke with a seller yesterday, before I go with these numbers I thought it best to ask for some guidance. 

They get a higher return since they are covering housing cost, have the $250k per spouse primary residence deduction in gains, is a savings account, higher leverage position, lower interest rate possible, will pay more premium for location, etc.House might be overpriced for REITs but not for home owners.  

I used to cold call, skip trace, send mailers, and don't get me wrong you will get success from it like James above, however as you gain experience you will realize you need deals faster, easier, cheaper, and with more "meat on the bones" and in order to have that you need constant deals flowing through your eco system and that's hard to do with mailers, cold calls, VA's and skip tracing etc.

Although the study may increase the gain, the gain may be taxed at a much lower rate making it a beneficial investment.If a property is purchased with the intention to flip or own for a short period of time (less than 3 years), a cost segregation study may not be significant.Overall, as long as you intend to hold the investment property for greater than a year, the benefits of a cost segregation study should be considered.

You can always try to find some better comps than the appraiser used and bring them to appraisers attention.  

When we moved, we turned it into a rental, hoping this would be the start of our real estate journey—something we’d like to continue once my husband retires.Some key details:My husband is active duty and will retire in 3 years.We have one final move coming up this summer to Raleigh, NC.Our current debts are crippling us—the high interest makes it tough to stay afloat every month.The plan I proposed to my husband:Sell the rental property.Use the proceeds to pay off all our debts, set aside emergency funds and a down payment for our next home.Free up $1,500/month from debt payments, and that also can stash in a high-yield savings account.Regain full VA loan entitlement, allowing us to purchase a multifamily home and use the house hacking strategy for up coming move.Avoid capital gains tax, since April marks five years of ownership, and the tenant’s lease ends in May.This wasn’t our original plan, and we hate the idea of using our equity to pay off debt.

I’m planning to start by buying in Buffalo to gain experience and learn the ropes.