As the title states I am soon to be leaving active duty with the Marine Corps after 8 years and will be moving back the the great state of Wisconsin, Green Bay to be specific.

At the end of the day the goal should be to make enough to give you an optimum lifestyle but not go overboard and cause yourself more work/hassle if you don't actually need the additional income that comes from it.Increasing the quality of the area/properties should make it easier management wise and if you don't necessarily need the cash flow now could end up ahead in overall return compared to the lower end areas, especially if you use leverage.I think it depends on your source of active income as well and how long you want to continue doing that for.

Clear unlicensed brokerage activity aside, ask yourself this question. 

Lenders will want to see 2 active open trade-lines for the past 24 months with on time monthly payments or a credit reference letter from a creditor. 

Many years ago I remember reading some promoting gap lending, the difference between what an HML would cover(1st position) and all in cost.

Motion activated flood lights and cameras.

We are a military family active duty to reserve and now looking to enter retirement years, so we see how beneficial it is to be close to the base and those amenities.

Condo's/Homes in Campton, NH are still very reasonable and it's very close to all of the activities in Lincoln, Plymouth etc...

CO landlords can still evict for all of the common grounds for eviction: nonpayment of rent, violation of lease terms, damage to property, disturbing the peace, health and safety violations, illegal activities etc. and can also still evict if they plan to conduct repairs or renovations, property demo or conversion, move in to the unit themselves or have a family member move in, withdraw the property from the rental market, or if the tenant refuses to sign a new lease with reasonable terms. 

However, the examples you provide that “changed your mind” about success of absentee business ownership are either not business ownership but real estate ownership, or not absentee but multiple unit active management.