As to the question about how it all added up to 10K - here are some of the things he reported to the police as stolen:- washing machine - oven (yes, an oven)- TexSpray ($5,200)- nail gun- $400 worth of fittings, shark bites- Dewalt 12 in. sliding miter saw- X19 Spray painter in box ($600)- 30 gallon Dewalt air compressor(lots of other random construction equipment)- 600 feet pex- 48 in. round fan

That said, if your property has increased 250k+ in a short period of time and you want to take advantage of the 2 of last 5 year rule to save on taxes then go for it.If you do go the above route, don't be quick to use that money to purchase properties all cash in a random market you don't know or don't have contacts you trust...any other market you choose won't be comparable to the long term, historical returns of this market.Your profits aside, if you decide to sell in a short period of time and still be able to reuse your VA loan before you leave, that would be ideal in my opinion....especially if you are able to re-use it to purchase a 2-4 unit property to live in one unit and rent out the other units until you leave the country....I realized that the timing can be tough with this option but depending on when you are leaving next year then this may be possible. 

But, it's like a balloon being squeezed, the squeeze pushes the balloon out in unpredictable and seemingly random ways. 

The point is even if disaster hits an area, it can be very random what gets damaged. 

There at least you have a random chance of winning and you don't have to make any phone calls. 

Someone steadily investing over the course of 20 years (random number) can definitely develop a system of acquiring properties and scaling up little by little.

I don't generally ask if they lead has other property in the area, but I will absolutely ask about financing/proof of funds, timeline, future goals, etc. before scheduling a showing with a new lead.But another way, if someone called me to discuss real estate, and then wouldn't answer a basic real estate question like "do you own real estate", I probably wouldn't be prioritizing them as a potential buyer.My advice is that if you are going to cold call Realtors to discuss real estate (as opposed to building a relationship with one or two), then plan to have a two way conversation about your real estate business instead of expecting them to just hop in the car and show some random guy their listing.

Sadly a stark reality hitting so many today.We have several middle-aged 'potential tenants' looking for a rental unit commensurate with their inadequate Social Security payments (after years of just minimum contributions) & random side job renumeration.

That doesn't mean randomly invest without research.

Closing it isn't a move a Social Media guy would just randomly make...Sounds like there's some beef.