@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.

To avoid reducing your lifetime exemption, you could gift equity incrementally, but this requires proper legal structuring (e.g., fractional ownership transfers).

I have a B.S. in Biology but meet the prerequisite course requirements for most any graduate program.

What are you accounting for when you say out of state investing requires more capital? 

Is this a conversion that will also require substantial renovations?

It is NOT required by law to sign a buyer's agreement before you start touring homes.

Hi Julia,Rehabbing fire-damaged properties can be a profitable venture, but it requires careful planning and additional considerations.

You can put a mortgage into a "trust: without triggering a due on sale but again contacting your bank/lender is the best route to avoid any issues.Some banks/lenders or servicing companies change guidelines and even a trust may require other paperwork but the attorney usually facilitates that to be safe.  

You can hear real-world examples of how others have built their investment portfolio and (hopefully) learn to avoid their mistakes.4.

.✅ This avoids wasting time screening unqualified tenants.3) Before Lease Signing (Final Step)✅ Run the background check before approving the tenant, so you can verify:Credit history & income stability Eviction & rental historyCriminal background (if applicable in your state)Final ThoughtThe best time is after the showing but before lease approval—this ensures you’re only screening serious applicants while minimizing wasted time and costs.