(As a Marine, it's a lifestyle I'm sure you're used to by now) If you prefer privacy, the 4-plex would be a better route, but know that these are even more uncommon to find in VA qualifying condition in the area.

Its not uncommon to get 10-15% cash on cash returns and have a good amount of equity built in.

I know some investors will submit an offer without a prior verbal agreement, but this is uncommon.  

It's certainly possible to get a 3K/month return on a 100K investment but I would have to say that is by far a rarity and would be an exceptionally good and uncommon (and possibly risky) deal - you're talking about a 36% return.I would never say never, but I think it's very unrealistic to expect that kind of return early on in your investing career.

I will say though that it is not uncommon for military to leave a duty station well before reporting to another.

It's not uncommon to do that.  

Not uncommon.  

It's not that uncommon for additional units not to be worth the cost to develop.

I know this is not uncommon, but I dont want any potential return wiped out because of a major foundational issue in a few years.

For example before 2008, it wasn't uncommon to buy a large apartment complex or a fourplex in say....