My husband is active duty Navy.

You know Nick - someone who doesn't know what they are doing could take an opportunity that pencils at 30% IRR and, pardon my French, **** it up!

No college, joined the navy right out of high school. 

forced heir-ship is another key issue under the Napoleonic/French system we have here in the great red-stick state, i tend to agree with most of all statements above, probate laws tend to differ from state to state, jurisdiction, and county and or parish(Louisiana), i guess what you are asking here seems more of an emotional ?

The only people I know who leave San Diego for somewhere colder are indeed in the Navy.

Not sure if he's with Navy Federal they have some great offers on conventional right now. https://www.navyfederal.org/lo...

Or how about french sliders and a deck instead of the large window?

Actually, I don't think renter's insurance will cover anything that is damaged due to natural flooding - I had a similar issue a few year's back and the tenant's insurance did not cover the damage; renter's insurance covers damage due to a burst pipe maybe ...I appeased the (very long term) tenant by having a perimeter french drain and sump pump installed - to hopefully avoid repeats in the future.

French drains, etc. may be required.

Next utilize credit unions, if you can join Navy Federal, Penfed, DCU, those are a few good ones that give high credit limits.