Let everything dry out really good. 

I own a bunch of 4 units and im lucky to get $150 a month at $1.50 a wash and $1.50 a dry.  

It's a dry almost desert climate.

As a buy and hold guy I am looking for greater security than a wholesaler or flipper might have seeing as they are going to get out of the property, ideally before it floods, and I want to have the home kept nice and safe and dry for a long while.

When it dried up a few years ago, the gurus realized they'd make more money guru-ing than real estate investing. 

I will say this, I have seen MANY military members struggle with exactly what you are talking about and it all stemmed from a lack of understanding and education.

All my education and success in REI will have stemmed from BiggerPockets some way or another and I plan to create a Monthly meet-up in the Chicagoland (If there isn't one already).

Having been on both sides of owner-financing for commercial property, if you came at me with that offer I would expect you to be trying to refi before the ink on the transaction is even dry.

I assume you are asking about a “dry” closing....where you as the first buyer bring no money, using the money from the second buyer to fund your purchase.....in most places title companies will no longer do this, in some places yes.

My background stems from healthcare and construction hence why I have such a specific interest.