If you could provide a general overview or a step-by-step guide at a very high level—focusing on vacancy rates, capital reserve expenses, expense ratios, and any other crucial details—it would be greatly appreciated.

Quote from @Chris Seveney: @Salomon W.We know someone who will fun these as long as existing rentals the loan won’t exceed 75% of cltv but I know they charge min 15% + pointsYeah, that's kinda expensive... 

Hey James, totally can relate with you being from an expensive real estate market - I moved to Columbus a few years ago (from Portland, Oregon which was super expensive) to become a full time real estate investor, and ever since, I've completed quite a lot of BRRRRs, flips, and own a successful rental portfolio here in Columbus Ohio.

You'll want to be sure to keep good records of your income and expenses to find that net profit at the end of the year.

We look at the longer term 5 years and beyond in our UW to make sure the deal will cover expenses in year 1 and create residuals after that. 

It tends to draw very troublesome tenants. most of em end up as crack houses with a lot of maintenance problems and expensive turns. 

They can't lie to you about this without repercussions....It may be nothing, but if it is, foundation repairs are expensive,,,!

This opens up a whole new level of asset protection, going from basic (least expense) to complicated (expensive) very quickly.  

Given your circumstances, the following advice and considerations apply:Benefit from low interest rates, no down payment required in most situations, and financing for up to four units when you take advantage of the VA loan.A thorough grasp of your budget should include the purchase price of the property as well as any possible maintenance expenses and other related expenses.

However if you only plan on owning it for 2 years it would be better not to buy any real estate because statistically speaking with the costs for taxes, expenses, mortgage interest, realtors commission, and other things that come up you won’t make any money anyway.