Charles,Good news for you since you are a Military member is you do not need any money for your first home purchase. 

Good news is that at least the PMC has agreed to a $1k credit.

You did an excellent job summarizing your experience.

https://www.qcnews.com/news/investigations/unfinished-business-multiple-homeowners-claim-nc-builder-took-bank-draws-cash-and-left-their-homes-unfinished/?

Just because you disagree with the conclusion that most people come up with after visiting dogs bite.org does not make it "fake news" or propagandist. 

This platform offers excellent networking opportunities.

You could put in a range of numbers for purchase price and closing costs, renovation expenses, and expected returns and you could very quickly get a range of projected return on investments (although an excel spreadsheet could easily do this as well), but I'm sure as technology develops we will see even more sophistication in AI's ability to assist in deal analyzing.

Yup half of these ideas are OLD NEWS  I never equate Texas and low tax's LOL also my concern with build to rent subdivisions is not the rent or the first 3 to 5 years but the exit in 7 to 10 years which is average hold time for investors.. 

The most popular STR listings in my area have excellent interior design.  

This will be for my excellent service as a landlord.Just like a restaurant does when you have a party of 8 or more - they add a mandatory tip.Doubt there will be any laws against this, at least initially.