This is what I would recommend if I was starting my REI journey from the beginning: Read Brandon Turner's book on Rental Property Investing https://www.amazon.com/Book-Rental-Property-Investing-Passive-ebook/dp/B018UTI2DOListening to the BP Real Estate podcast https://www.biggerpockets.com/podcastListening to the BP money podcast https://www.biggerpockets.com/moneyshowAttend your local REIA meetings to networkStart analyzing deals to get practiceEngage more on the BP forumsPost a profile pic ;)All the best!

Attend your local REIA meetings to networkStart analyzing deals to get practiceEngage more on the BP forumsPost a profile pic ;)All the best!

Then, you can slowly improve the property or put in sweat equity, and when you have sufficient equity refinance conventional and free up your VA eligibility and do it again.

You will need to repair your credit, clear your bankruptcy and start saving every penny you can.......frugal life style going forward as your life situation improves is mandatory.

I would appreciate any feedback, suggestions, comments or anything else that would help me improve the success of my lease option business. 

Can I use the current rental income, or maybe the income after repairs and improvements to qualify for  the mortgage?

Also, if I am inspecting a tenant occupied property, I most likely, unless if the previous owner objects, I ask the tenant to give me a list of known issues and desirable improvements, written or verbal.Good luck.

In your profile you mention "flipper".

(B) "Real estate" includes leaseholds as well as any and every interest or estate in land situated in this state, whether corporeal or incorporeal, whether freehold or nonfreehold, and the improvements on the land, but does not include cemetery interment rights.

-Yardi MatrixColliersDemographics -Best PlacesBureau of Labor Statistics (Unemployment/Employment rates for specific cities)WikipediaLocal Profiles (Usually the city or submarket will have a local profile with info)Crime -TruliaNeighborhood ScoutBest Places Just a few for you, I hope this helps!