Nobody ever went broke over a duplex, I know this now,  but I have to admit I had some serious doubts about this when I started 16 years ago, I bought every course I could find, already on CD's, this was post cassette tapes lol, and I paid RichDad Education for a one year coaching program (turned out my coach was a girl in a call center without any actual experience). 

I look forward to reading more of your experiences.  

Share your experience with DSCR's Below 

At this time the primary goal is passive income and then scale within 5 years as I gain more experience and network. 

Figure out a question set that helps dive into their expertise as investor-friendly agents, ask about their experience in the investment real estate space, and have them send you a few properties that could meet your goals to show that they can provide quality properties for your to analyze (hint: this is also good to see if they overpromised on their market [ex - Raleigh for cash flow]).Also with the new lawsuit, any agent that knows what they're doing will require you to sign an agency agreement prior to viewing a home.

I have referred my CPA to several others and everyone has had a positive experience.

This experience proves that even with challenges, strategic renovations and persistence can lead to a profitable outcome.

What can be done or does anyone have any experience using a VA loan after separating recently?

Quote from @Zack Marshall: Quote from @Tyler Tyson: I had a very poor experience with them last year.

Best of luck with everything it seems you have the experience and workmanship needed to be successful!