Thanks Karen - Everyone seems to use different tools, good to know there are so many choices. 

Your best option is to get with a rockstar LO that has your best interests in mind to help educate you, work through all the different options, so that you can make that choice for yourself effectively.Best of luck!

The question I have is when I bought the home I only lived in it for 1 1/2 to 2 years before I got permanently stationed somewhere else, during these last 8 years I have rented it out and have not lived in it, will I have to pay capital gains tax seeing how I didn’t live in for the last 2 out of 5 years or am I protected because I had official orders and had no choice?

All of the other houses are very nice and the area is popular and growing.

Period.Therefore, I think property A would be the best choice. 

From middle school on there have been the popular kids and those who wish they were.

If the realtor ever has off market deals before MLS, I might not always be their top choice.

We have identified two but this is our top choice but our budget is closer to $120k is that something even worth submitting in writing in your opinion?  

In no particular order I have listed some of the most popular markets for out of state investorsCincinnati, OhioDayton, OhioToledo, OhioYoungstown, OhioCincinnati, OhioMemphis, TennesseeSaint Louis, MissouriIndianapolis, IndianaDetroit, MichiganErie, PennsylvaniaLouisville, KentuckyMilwaukee, WisconsinJackson, MississippiEach of these markets is popular with turnkey investors because of the low barrier to entry, high rental demand & high rent to price ratio.

Cleveland is one of the best turnkey market and the most popular for investors.