Once you rent it, you'll have a home that's been rented a few years, so instead of buyers hearing "newly renovated", they'll hear "2-year-old appliances, roof, etc." with the normal wear and tear that comes from that, and you'll have the potential for renter damaging the place as well (although I'm sure you'll be screening well, so not likely a factor).  

Speaking of which, do you have a screening system in place? 

Somebody didn't screen properly . . .I can't imagine trusting your kids to someone you know nothing about.

You have plenty of time to screen a good team so when you make your return home you can start things up ASAP.  

It's also not a business for people with little to no capital.Maintenance and watching your expenses are a part of the game.Successful landlords have systems in place to deal with problems that come up and they SCREEN tough as your tenant is essentially your business partner.Another thing, you make your money when you buy correctly... applies even to landlording... certain areas and price points will attract certain tenant quality.

(did not pay rent and said to use last month rent) They broke 2 screen doors, window screens and have stains in the carpet in every room, small hole in wall and stains all over the stairs also, carpet was brand new when moved in.

It does not sound strange at all someone who has cash because most people don't trust banks screen him and if everything check out rent to him.

(Great way to starting building a realtor-investor relationship)The bank makes the final decision regarding price after they order either a BPO or Appraisal or both depends on the lender.The short sale process takes usually takes 90-120 or longer days depending on the sellers cooperation and how fast the agent works with the bank submitting paperwork received from the seller but ive seen them go 6-12 months :(One warning really try and screen your seller to make sure there not using you the agent to just buy ore time in the property you must take there word on this but hopefully they have good intentions.The uglier the property for me personally I only love properties that look like the guy from lord of the rings (The Precious)Sorry for the lengthy reply just wanted to be thorough.Good luck!

Most of the learning will be around due diligence and setting the correct terms of the loans ... as with tenants, lending is all about screening your borrowers. 

Screen those deals by doing some internet reconnaissance and running the numbers to see if they give me a GOI of 3% or better on the purchase price.3.