Also, using your VA loan is smart to maximize buying power and monetize the mortgage house hacking the second unit.

We also have strategies to monetize other space often overlooked by investors  with units near campuses.

My advice is sound and the vast majority of Landlords would be wise to learn how to market themselves as pet-friendly, develop a process for screening both tenants and animals, and then learning how to monetize that. 

I would manage the property and do upgrades over the next few years to increase the value while initially pulling ~$750/mo net income after factoring for all expenses. 2.

Looking for ways to monetize.

Being licensed is going to save $ on transactions, give better access and networking which brings deals you wouldn't have caught before, and gives more ways to monetize leads that don't pan out as good buys (can represent them). 

Long Term: Over the long haul, due to  stagnant wage growth, and ever growing supply of "value add" units, and the Federal Reserves insane debt monetization policies - investors will soon realize that they can only squeeze so much rent / RUBS / pet rent / misc. income out of their tenant, especially in areas with relatively low AMI levels.

You will also have to put 25-30% down right now and also cover carrying costs so if your cash reserves are tight I would not recommend borrowing Monet form a bank or hard money lender.

I'd preempt that phone call with some online research about purchase contract assignments and double closing practices in you specific state and then search for someone with a referral to a title company in your area and ask them to provide a warm introduction.As a general rule, you will regret collecting all of your information from a single source and someone offering a one stop shop for all the answers is monetizing you in some way.Additionally, re-framing your mindset from, "I want to wholesale." might prove beneficial.

Option 2 Land lease - if you want to keep the property you can lease the land to someone else and let them develop it or monetize the property.