Maximize financing options, look for properties with value-add potential, focus on cash flow calculations, and consider nearby neighborhoods.

A suggestion I would give you is to find a couple "for rent" signs in your local market, get the address and start "running your numbers" on the rental property calculator that BP has for us on here.

I will be taking a residential loan from my TSP since by my calculations that would save me a lot of money on interest and give me good equity.

Many, if not most, want to have this data, but a very high % don't calculate monthly performance.

Then, I am using Rent Property Calculator and mortgage payment to estimate if the property can yield a positive cash flow.

We are ok with making calculated risks with our money, but when you introduce other peoples' money to the equation as a variable it can get sticky.

Flipping properties creates taxable events.

The rent difference versus the offset of cost needs to be calculated. 

It may just seem like a small amount because the properties there are pretty cheap, but if you back-calculate the property tax rate, it's relatively high (not Texas high, though).

I've researched different platforms and found one that provides comp analysis along with a rehab calculator tool.