Now our vacation units are restored.

Even New York where you can't see if the applicant has a history of eviction.

It would be great to do an episode on investing in rent controlled markets and bring on investors from Los Angeles, New York, Oregon, etc.

Therefore I'm now looking to start investing in RE in the U.S - prefer neighboring states like New York (Buffalo?)

In this case you may want to refinance your VA loan on your prior property to restore your original VA entitlement to full prior to your purchase.You can use VA financing for up to 4 units with 100% LTV or 0% down but the subsequent or second use may have up to 1.25-3.30% VA funding fee ( points financed into the new loan) unless if you have a disability rating of 10% of greater on your certificate of eligibility or your COE shows "exempt-eligible veteran."

New York on the other hand has some higher taxes so it can make the cash flow a little harder.I have been seeing some good deals a little further North in and around Lowell, Dracut, Nashua even up in North Conway, which is a great STR location.  

Having a list of the problems made by an expert might make it a little bit easier to make the decision do you want to tear it down or do you want to make it a labor of love and restore it like Grandma had it - maybe with an air conditioning system in it and Hardiboard on the outside, and new windows et cetera...

As a first-time buyer with a budget of 600k is New York City or NJ a better fit? 

I am going to be helping manage/run a STR in Upstate New York this summer.

However, county loan limits still apply to Veterans who have previously used, and not restored, their VA home loan entitlement to purchase, refinance, or construct a home above $144,000.Your entitlement can only be restored when the property is sold, or the loan is paid-in-full.