$ NOI improvement / cap rate = market value addedForced appreciation is great and you control it.1 - raise rents to market value2 - enforce late fees3 - charge application fees4 - supplemental income (laundry, parking, vending)5 - reduce vacancy6 - screen properly to reduce turnover7 - respond quickly to maintenance requests to improve tenant retention8 - clean up landscaping9 - address deferred maintenance10 - rehab units and raise rents 11 - dispute tax assessed value12 - shop insurance, landscaping, garbage, pest control, snow removal, painting, flooring, HVAC, plumbing, electrical...the list goes on13 - ratio bill shared utilities (if the market will bear it)Every $1 improvement in NOI = $10 improvement in value on a 10 cap, for example.  

I am not the type to jump in blind, and would rather gain knowledge from those who have already made the mistakes I am sure to make if I begin on my own accord.Which is ultimately what brings me here.I am not under the illusion that wholesaling will be the final answer to my financial aspirations, and I do plan to pursue the larger aspects of REI after I have established myself.With that being said, I am hoping to gain insight into options that may be available alongside the wholesaling venture.My current situation/expected alternatives:1) Access to VA home loan (for which I am aware of the 12 month residency requirements).2) >12k TSP savings contribution (which is available for loan if needed for down payment).3) Flexibility to move to more beneficial location when my enlistment is up (2019).4) Currently in position to move my active residency as my rent lease will soon end.In regards to risks/potential returns on using loans to invest in property now to be used down the line, my ultimate question is this: Do I focus on wholesaling to get my foot in the door, or should I also be exploring other options to supplement my plan?

@Jon Holdman about getting an education, it doesn't rule out real estate investing, but can supplement it very nicely.

Now, after accumulating my MBA, I'm looking for supplemental income that I can turn into a full-time career down the road.

I would like to have multiple properties eventually with the idea that the income will supplement what I have saved/am saving for retirement.  

My job, when talking to a potential lender, is to show how the numbers work (e.g. tax return data consolidated into my charts to supplement their PFS data) and 'sell' them on why I am worth their time.

They were originally meant as a supplement to Social Security and your company's pension.  

They can verify the disability by providing proof of receipt of disability benefits (Supplemental Security Income, Social Security Disability Insurance, Veterans disability benefits, etc.) or by submitting information of a third party verification that can verify (usually a medical professional) they have a disability.I have them bring a form to their third party verification or fax it over.

@Mona Arthur I am a Realtor and would suggest that you add a supplemental heat unit (Monitor heater, gas or propane fireplace, pellet stove) this way you can advertise more than one type of heat without replacing the entire heating system. 

If you ever want to use real estate to do more than just supplement your income, then you need scale.