in the past i would try to get back a big refund, but it really stemmed from a lack of discipline on my part.

Cutting back and sacrificing was necessary to save up money to buy cash...but eventually everyone's cash will inevitably dry up, which ours did.This is when we had to look at financing.  

,Sounds like a dry well.

They both need dry wall, flooring, cabinets, plumbing, Windows, paint and garbage cleaned out.

I too work for the family business in CA...our family business is RE investing and I purchase out of state properties and have PM companies manage them for me...I stopped acquiring properties 3 years ago when cash flow dried up in many markets...buy a duplex with your VA loan?

@Chris Baker  There is a water heater pipe which has asbestos and apparently the dry wall had some in it as well.  

I'd be careful making cash flow vs appreciation that cut and dry.

Dry the area well.

Or should I keep my powder dry and save up cash to pick up multiple deals in a year or two once the market softens or corrects? 

., how close to the prop you are valuing. write down 6 or so if possible, don't count the highest and lowest, add up what's left and divide by that # to come up with an average price per sq ftlAlso need to look close at ones that have been fixed up, difinitely not a cut and dry process, but another tool.