Leslie, you need to get a job or some other source of income while you getting started.

Your go-to lender gets food AND booze out of you?

Splitting the building into a duplex of sorts may gross more money, but the sheer expense of splitting the utilities would wash any potential gain for many years to come, IE: 2 water sources/meters, rewiring to 2 electrical boxes, 2 gas services, etc.

So there has been a lot of things happening regarding military retirement and benefits that are making a lot of us start to really notice like other people working for 20 years for a retirement isn't really the best of options to to rely on as the only source of income.

Are you looking to be a hands on investor that is more so running a business or are you looking for a good source of passive income while not doing so much hands on work?

The MLS is a different subject and for a another discussion.What is your source for this data? 

Other growth seems to be the food industry with large chain groceries stores/department stores coming to the area.

So many investors are used to sending out postcards, yellow letters, working the MLS or door knocking for one deal from one source.

You will find a lot of great advice and sources of knowledge on here.Check out the podcasts, webinars and books.Good luck!

They will assist in developing accurate criteria based off market analysis and procure properties leveraging sources such as the MLS, Wholesaling Partners, Direct Mail, and Referral Business.