The 1% rule is best only used as a quick and dirty evaluation used to pick which property you plan on running additonal calculations on.

My point above is how solid are your financial and management plans?  

Make sure you check the local ordinances / zoning and talk to the local administrator to see if you can do what you are planning.

Our portfolio currently cash flows, but cash flow isn’t our top priority right now since we plan to use this portfolio to supplement our retirement in 12 years when I leave the Army.My biggest challenge is committing to an out-of-state market.

I plan to call lender on this but don't want to wave any red flags. thoughts?

Could you do a cash out refinance of that property and rent it as well, or are you planning on selling? 

Hello everyone,I’m currently in the planning phase for a development project just outside of Santa Fe, NM.

When the second phase was built, the units have the same floor plan, but they added individual heat pumps and individual hor water heaters in each unit, so that they were on the occupant's electric bill. 

I position my inspections as 'planning for future repairs/improvements' which mitigates that whole 'he's here to get my security deposit' mindset.And, I would rather have the tenant with me than to have him later claim that something was broken during the inspection.  

This could easily cost you $10’s of thousands if you plan to stay in the home 5+ years when you return.