With the new funding the IRS has received, they are assigning more agents to people like us.

Like others have mentioned, you will pay structurally more for a home warranty than self-insuring for the cost of repairs.This may be worth it if the value proposition was that you could be hands-off whenever a covered item breaks.In reality, it adds significant overhead because there is the claims process and you give up control of the repair timeline and quality as you have discovered.

Attend meetups and meet as many people in RE as you can.

In which ways can someone new to RE discover how to estimate ARV.

When you put less down you do have PMI but the PMI offers a lower rate which most people do not know.

Moreover, I want to know what people look for when they do identify a good deal.

Rent out a room (or rooms) to people you screen very well. 

It's essential to review the plans carefully, ensuring they align with your investment goals and local building codes before making a purchase.From my experience, BlueBeam provides the most seamless and fast collaboration between people on the project (architects, builders, owners, investors, etc.)

Some people do well with it.Good Luck.

The VA loan is a powerful tool with a lot more to offer than most people are aware of, a good agent will help you maximize its potential to kick start your REI journey.