Welcome to the site and thank you for your service to our country.

LOL.. most investors probably would not have bought there because the returns would have looked to low compared to other markets in the country... but as you point out you mitigate risk with the proper property to start.Much like what happened in the Portland market.. not a hot bed for most investors to buy rentals other than savvy locals or CA folks. 

Once I filed for an unlawful detainer, it's never held up in court.  

But even then you would have to keep receipts and have specific language in your lease about how often you pump the system and what is considered "too fast", even then you might have a hard time proving that in court unless they fill the system in 6 months or something crazy like that. 

Growing up in the country I’ve not only heard of renting the land but also negotiating for a % of the profit from crops.

@Sidney Kanell I have rentals in different countries and I haven't seen most of them, ever.

I am from Allentown, but this project has me halfway across the country. 

ILLEGAL I know but the new owner had to take him to court and pay to have the sprinklers put in. 

You do have to reasonably good credit so not sure if you have a long enough history with only being in the country a short time.

Trustees are private attorneys who have an exclusive gig with the bankruptcy court.