Asset protection,Reside in CA, and read about RE investors having the option to start a LLC in NV that's within a trust and also purchase an umbrella personal liability insurance policy (upwards of a $1m - 2m+), to give aspiring RE Investor the proper business structure, security and protection in case of the inevitable lawsuit and/or other costs of doing business. 

And if you aren't looking at multifamily how are you using a VA loan to secure a investment property, I thought VA loans had to be used on a primary residence? 

I was going to get a couple of those secured credit cards and just let them sit to start recovering credit

Two years of renting the property with P&L for these years.If your property gross income $1K/mo - they will use $500/mo as your incomeIf it's cash flow $1K/mo, then you talk to your loan officer and get specifics.Also, they can use your bank statements for a year but it's more expensive if you're trying to secure mortgage on your primary residence.If you're getting credit line for business, there will be different qualifications but generally, bank will discount that income (considering that it might get vacant, or vandalized or whatever)

@Christopher Petersen unless we have negative population growth there will be at least as many people as there are now, and if we did have negative population growth it would have a much larger impact on things like Social Security than RE. 

I received the tenant's security deposit at closing.

I'm looking for some advice on my current security deposit situation.My former (very disagreeable and difficult) tenant moved out and I mailed his security deposit settlement to him at his new address via Certified Mail with Return Receipt within 30 days, as SC law requires.

Bring on equity investors to secure the dirt and front the costs associated with getting phase 1 shovel ready. 1a (depending on experience and local lending environment) Deploy additional equity capital to do the horizontal (roads, sewage, sitework) 2.

Don't forget you need a mortgage and note to secure the investor's money. 

Fortunately though we have a strong and steady rental market, so while our returns might not be the highest, I feel positive about the long-term security of my investments in/around this city.