I will reach out when I come back from traveling and start looking at the area. 

He rented the stores for office use, like a travel agency, and the other to a video store, when a barber shop of many years closed up.

Try to find that property near your home so you wont travel far if something needs more attention.

I was able to travel down and see the property just before closing. 

Make sure you file the lawsuit in your jurisdiction so she has to travel.  

I would like to convert the garage into a one bedroom and rent either to another long term tenant or mid term (30 day min for professors or traveling nurses). 

You even graduated from IU so you have access to some awesome loan programs from IUCreditUnion.Keep your job and connections to buy a house, then rent out rooms to traveling nurses. 

My goal is to create generational wealth for my family and to eventually have the financial freedom to say "yes" to travel adventures as a family.

A majority of our MTR tenants are traveling healthcare professionals, many of whom are associated with Aya Healthcare. 

MAYBE, if you live in the town, and are VERY handy, and open an appliance, hvac, roofing company and are willing to travel to the 30 closest cities (since you won’t be profitable even if you get all the business in a city that size.) then maybe you’d do ok.