Hey @Benjamin Jones -  Fellow Japan-based investor here.  

., HVAC tune-up, plumbing fixes)Deep clean entire property pre-listingEstimated Cost: $5,000Total Estimated Renovation Cost: $145,000Project TimelineWeek 1-2: Planning and DemolitionFinalize design and materialsObtain necessary permitsBegin demolition (kitchen, bathrooms, floors)Week 3-5: Structural and Major InstallationsInstall new cabinets and countertops in kitchenComplete bathroom tiling and vanity installationRefinish or replace flooringWeek 6-7: Painting and FixturesPaint interior and exteriorInstall lighting, hardware, and plumbing fixturesWeek 8: Finishing TouchesLandscaping and curb appeal updatesDeep cleaning and stagingTotal Timeline: 8 Weeks*This link comes directly from our calculators, based on information input by the member who posted.

Only place I felt "safe" in CA was on base.

Private Money Lenders (PML): More flexible, relationship-based funding with lower fees.

Based on this strategy, it would only take about 2.5 years to pay off the $160K.

They barely lasted in California (they are based on London).The challenge is (1) you are assuming all listings have open houses and (2) there are a lot of moving parts that can happen behind the scenes.

The article is based on # of sales, not price increase or decrease.

Take time to learn through military-focused resources like Military House Hacking or Active Duty Passive Income, and connect with other military investors online or on base.

Start to evaluate deals based on the income approach and you'll do much better long term investing. 

There is a house at a foreclosure auction that has a subordinate security agreement based on the national stabalization program NSP through NACA.