You could get new construction with your VA loan and when you move on in a year or so, have a virtually brand new home that will be very little upkeep to maintain when you put tenants in there and typically, you will get higher rents in a newer construction home. 

What is your go-to paint color and brand?

I am brand new and interested in my first foray into real estate investing.

In the end it's just damaging the brand. 

Looking at new builds (brand new or recent), vetted for major repairs (there will be none presumably, some have a builders' warranty), that I will potentially own for 10-ish years. 

Twice the agent was worth it as I was brand new or out of area.

Just like auto insurance, it isn't to buy you a brand new car, it is to fix yours or give you the value of the car as of the date of loss.

Our vision is to build a brand that is well liked and respected in the communities we are improving.GOALS SHORT TERM (1-5 yrs.)

With a brand new W-2 job in a different trade/profession, you may need to be in that new job for 6 months.  

I don't know how severe the issues were that caused you to cancel 7 deals, but I can tell you that either your agent is absolutely blind or you are blowing small issues way out of proportion.You are not getting a new roof with a used house, just as much as you are not getting brand new breaks on a used car.