My recommendation is that you actively communicate with the tenants to facilitate the move-out.

See if one of them would go with you to the property to assess the work and how much it would cost to repair the house and capitalize on the "forced appreciation".Or, you can perform "sweat equity"...doing some of the work yourself if you have some experience with renovating and repairing property.Also, be sure to soak up the free knowledge here. 

@Jonathan BeemerWhether you are on active duty or not, you can still use the VA Loan my friend

Hi BP Community, This is my first post and I am excited to have found such an active and supportive community. 

You need a condo with a low monthly assessment and West Loop doesn't have many options. 

@Brian Schmelzlen - New Castle County, Delaware hasn't assessed properties since 1983...so unless you're doing new construction you don't have any concerns about re-assessment of the value. :-)

@Mark G.Yes, there is a way to transfer property from a parent to a child and keep the assessed basis for property tax purposes the same. 

I've been an active real estate investor for the past 8yrs and agent with Tierra Antigua Realty.

Decide for yourself first how active or passive you want to be.

I use the LLC for active businesses to separate one business from the other, not to cover myself personally for liability.