You are in a great spot to re-start your journey, especially with the help of your VA benefits and service to your country.

Wholesaling will not work for everyone, especially not someone new trying to do it in arguably one of the two hardest wholesale markets in the country due to price, experience, and owner savvy (NYC and LA).Posts aren't negative if they don't agree with you.

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

I work with community bankers all over the country that work with OOS investors.

There may be others for the rest of the country, but the one I know of and have used for my purchases covers the Western US at the moment, except CA

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.

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.