We are currently preparing my real estate strategy, of course using the Bigger Pockets Strategy book, as a previous business owner in another industry, there’s a lot of good and refreshing information here in this Strategy book. 

For example, I started investing in Buffalo (NY) a few years ago because I liked the stable population statistic along with the fact that a big chunk of the population is in the healthcare industry... along with major car manufacturers having plants or some sort of manufacturing factory there (Tesla, GM, etc.) 

If you think about it in any industry less transparency and more friction in the transaction will increase fees/commission vs reducing them.I like the idea as an investor of having different agents, a team of agents maybe 3-4 bringing me deals, but I think less of that will happen now as all will have to have you sign some kind of agreement up front. 

I had no money to put down on any properties, so I learned (a lot) and put in a lot of hard work and effort to get some properties under contract.Initially, I had no clue what I was doing, but I had the help of some people (and I appreciated that)I made mistakes that cost me around $30k (lost a deal due to my ignorance regarding title and escrow)The good news with wholesaling is that it doesn't take a lot of capital upfront, and you can start talking to sellers and learn about the industry in general.The other good news is that you can without a doubt generate revenue quickly if you do things correctly (having a good TC / title / escrow connection that keeps deals moving on the backend)That said, there are a few points that I've come to live by:1.

True, I am 100% with you on that.The point here is, when you analyze, you do based on what you know now (what is known as a fact today) and on what is highly likely to happened (again from today) and to accept the fact that things might change tommrow.Life happened every day, that’s why  we need to stay firm with our direction but flexible with our approach.having lived through the HORRORS of those years fully engrossed in the industry almost nationwide... it was regional on who did well and who had troubles.. no question well positioned landlords in Portland for instance no issue.. 

What would be the "significant and legitimate public purpose" for the government getting involved in what seems to be a tiny percentage of transactions in an already heavily-regulated industry?

I would use the income to slowly improve the house and once you get it to a good spot, HELOC out some money for a down payment on another place rinse and repeat. 

It doesn't take long to learn how to spot a good deal.6.

All this is why, I believe, it's a rare thing in the REI industry. 

From my understanding, you’re spot on that the VA only requires intent to occupy the property within 60 days—there’s no hard-and-fast rule about staying for a year.