You can borrow from bank (signature or Home Equity) private money, hard money or even put on a credit card.Then you wouldn't have to worry about the pool liability or tenants.Maybe your In-laws would front the money?

One thing I can say about Foreign National borrowers, you can usually bet they have good savings, multiple paid on time mortgages and other loans under their belts when they contact me.     

These houses were built by a company and are all on its own private street and pretty much identical to each other.  

What do you guys think about renting it and selling it privately with a tenant in place?

There's a few different ways there are title companies or private companies that specialize in NOD lists.

Using the VA loan is a good option but depending on time you have left to transfer to Pensacola there is always a way to use private lender if your wanting this as an investment property.

There several great alternatives for you. 1) You could be the money side of the investment while someone else is the acquistion and development and management side. 2) You could be a Private Lender that holds Notes. 3) Or, you could do Commercial properties. 4) You could do new construction. 5) You could be an investor in a Syndication. 6) You could own REITS.

Your best bet is to connect with some people who can bring you off market deals.

I'm interested in moving out of that area but most of my private lenders want their money in the Tillamook county area. 

As a private/hard money lender, I have no problem with my borrower selling an option behind my position.