.- there are ways to never pay tax on gains (1031, owe until death, etc)- cost segregation can in effect have RE acquired at no cost- sweat equity can produce additional return.  

I’m also making the property my primary residence to lower upfront costs, effectively turning it into a house hack.With this setup of me now occupying a room and not including utilities. 

You’re able to learn the basics of a real estate investment with lower risk and build equity at the same time.Because you're in the military, you'll be able to enter a property with 0% down which means you can leverage your money way more effectively. 

If you have favorable terms on those first mortgages, you might find that a HELOC or a second-position loan is more cost-effective than doing a full refinance or a DSCR loan.

While it might feel counterintuitive, it can sometimes save you the time and cost of a legal eviction.I’d love to hear from others in the forum..Have you found any creative or cost-effective ways to navigate eviction challenges?

It's crucial to consult with a tax professional who understands the nuances of your situation to determine the most appropriate and cost-effective method for your tax filings.

You don’t need a judgement, but not sure how effective it would be:   https://www.rentrecoveryservic...

However, its subscription costs can add up, and the effectiveness of direct mail depends on execution and market conditions.

You started with the $ you saved that had effect of securing just 1 property.

@Chris Kay finding a quality, cost-effective contractor is extremely difficult:(There are thousands of contractors that are great talkers, but rarely perform within budget.Standard bait & switch is to lowball a bid, then once they get started all sorts of things "pop up" that somehow their bid didn't cover.