Cody,It is not easy with low down payment and  with current prices, property taxes and rates to live for "free" these days in most of the country.

You have to explain it to the listing agent who doesn't get it, who then sends that to the seller, by telling them it's not that you have no money, but this is a right afforded to you based on your service to the country and you can also show proof of funds that you have money, but are choosing not to use it as a downpayment because you want to do reno with it.I would use your VA, that's what it's there for.

Our team works with a lot of out of state and out of country investors and most state that Pittsburgh is one of the best markets they invest in due to the more predictable nature of our market (we don't have the bubbles that many of the larger cities do in regards to housing surges and bursts).

in addition on the west coast we just don't really have zombie or boarded up houses.. at least not like other areas of the country we have a shortage of actual housing units.

I believe shared housing is going to become more popular, due to the lack of available housing throughout the country; and lenders, insurance, etc. will need to find ways to accommodate their use. 

These are all items I have to challenge myself developing Self Storage locations and Country subdivisions. 4.  

I know there are rare situations where running away isn't an option and I'm not saying we have to choose between self defense lessons or carrying a firearm, it's great we live in a free country and can choose all the above.

Its hard to find a perfect spot anywhere in this country. as long as folks move to where the jobs are or where tax treatment is better I think they kind of over look the adverse weather.

In what part of the country is it located?  

Average cap rates across the country have halved in the past 25 years.