The problem that concerns me is if I use my VA loan (which isn't my only option) then I have to reside there and show proof of my orders heading to that area.

Then head on over to your local Real Estate Investor Association - most major cities have one and Kansas City is no different - actually KC has 2 REIA groups, 3 or 4 landlord groups and several other networking groups where you can LEARN a lot for pennies.Not that you can't learn for free, but most of these groups have a membership fee for their monthly meetings and a small fee for special training sessions.You can connect with people at live events, face to face and possibly find the mentor you re laooking for. . . . or you might go to some of the training workshops they offer and get the information you need to get started and then take questions to the REIA or even here to Bigger Pockets to fill in the gaps.If you print this reply out and take it to the next meeting of MAREI (June in Kansas City) you can go as my guest for free - just show it at the check in desk.

Most of those big banks have their heads too far up their rear ends to help with your situation.

I believe he added up all of the rent and then divided it by the purchase price of the house.

Try to get an "approximate time frame for completion at X hours per day/per week so you can add a rough total in your head of where you will be at.

So after I graduated, I let him know I was headed to Australia for six months but was still very interested in working for him if anything came up.

Killeen can be a tough area but head out to cove its more family friendly. as stated your VA loan is the biggest asset you have!

As @Dmitriy Fomichenko and @Jon Klaus listed some tools to help you get headed in the right direction.

The only world I know is in my head and boy its a doozie!

We are just about to close on a rehab in Blythe by end of this year and headed out tomorrow to look at a few more.