Acquiring below market and implementing a value-add improvement plan will result in a portfolio of properties that appreciate over time and that also offer significant tax advantagesPick the right market – not all housing markets were impacted in the same way during the last recession.

I am owner-occupied in a single family home in Mary Esther that I acquired with the VA Loan.

I picked a management company, that I thought did a great job, but they got acquired by a larger management company, who then decided SFH management wasn't worth it, so passed it to another person, to another person to another person.  

Based on what you have done already I am guessing you like the long term appreciation and cashflow approach to real estate investing.I dont have any information on how you acquired your other properties or what your financial position so take my advice as "what I would do" advice.You just bought a home that you put down between 5-20% so it probably drained you a bit.

@Nathan Realph,Here's a few thoughts on things to look for in a lender...Using a HML or PML to acquire good properties that need renovation is a great way to leverage your resources.

I ultimately decided to move away from SFH’s because the amount of work required to continue to scale wasn’t feasible alongside a full time job.Investing passively via syndicates opened my eyes to how I could benefit from real professionals sourcing, acquiring, doing due diligence and managing my asset all without any ongoing time commitment from me.

Good luck and great job with acquiring 16 properties and self managing!!!

Sometimes there are years in between acquiring houses.

We bought our first house in 2014 (a 3 family with lots of problems) and within a few months it created a raging hunger inside of me to acquire more.

If so, what has your experience been like as far as profitability, acquiring properties, working with property management firms, DC vacation rental laws etc.