Saving grace is that the 1 bedroom market is solid and has appreciated significantly in the last 12 months, and my tenants signed a 15 month lease so it will turn over in late spring instead.   

You will save yourself a lot of time, headaches and most of all money if you buy properties that have already been rehabbed or only need light cosmetic work to be rented out.

I will easily save 2k+ a month.

Find a lender/broker who is very familiar with these loans and you should be fine.You do not have to pay the fee if you are a: Veteran receiving VA compensation for a service-connected disability, ORVeteran who would be entitled to receive compensation for a service-connected disability if you did not receive retirement or active duty pay, ORSurviving spouse of a Veteran who died in service or from a service-connected disabilitysource: https://www.benefits.va.gov/homeloans/purchaseco_l...Source for how much your funding fee  will be:  https://www.benefits.va.gov/homeloans/documents/do...Curious as to why you are exempt from property taxes.

I encourage you to do the process as it is easy and will save you a good chunk of change. 

Take pictures of everything before you gut, save all materials. 

Safe Credit Union, US Bank, El Dorado Savings, Golden Pacific Bank.

So again not worth it.If you were simply buying a property for at least $45k you'd probably have some decent savings.

The market here is relatively expensive, we both have pretty good jobs, but would like to avoid using our entire savings to get this off the ground. 

I don't think moving from PA to Ohio to save one year is worth the time or effort.