There's a lot of stress in a first deal and trust issues from dealing with your agent, banker and lawyer for the first time I know it seems really easy and I know I've bought properties without seeing them but only after having a couple deals under my belt and doing it for a while If I were you I'd buy a ticket and close your deal in person

I convinced myself real estate was my ticket out and began researching and studying relentlessly.

I've seen it before, usually for larger ticket repairs.

. -$400 (not bad)-$1,000++Any big ticket items.... like A/C, water lines, electric issues, etc.? 

Perhaps adding the extra rent money could make the dog part happen and then explore the international part.I see that LA house as your ticket to ride.

Are there a lot of other indications of bad behavior and irresponsibility (recent evictions, a high number of speeding tickets, etc.)  

I'll make a ticket for the Android developer to look into what's causing this. 

Bigger Pockets is your golden ticket to great success, Jason.

Use the VA for a future property.More explanation:  Imagine that mortgages are Golden Tickets.  

Less than 2 days later I received a phone call saying that the police gave them a ticket for parking over night on the street (not allowed in our neighborhood between 3-6am without permission from the police department - which I had told them).