As for cash reserves, that can vary based on the age of the property, condition, location, etc...but I've always hear $10,000 per property (scales down per unit if you buy multiple) is a decent starting assumption.Flipping is active income (not bad for building wealth in the short term), buy/hold is more passive, and cash flow is great (playing the long game)...military installations often come with a decent amount of buy/hold opportunities due to the housing allowance service members receive.lower end is okay...if the neighborhood is.

I left the Navy last fall and my wife is still active duty here in Jax so if you have any questions, I can relate to your situation.

Im actively studying and learning about it!

If now's the time to make that leap from active into a passive role (whether fatigue, age, or changing priorities) then the DST can be a great way and still preserve all of that hard earned gain and have to pay back the depreciation you've received @Christopher Smith. 

Once you leave the employer, you can transfer those assets to a self-directed IRA or (even better) a Solo 401k, if you have self-employment activity.

So I decided to create an account and try my hardest to become an active member of the community.

@David AvetisyanI have actively dropped all contingencies other than appraisal.

@James Smith If the purchase is in California the contingencies are all considered active as opposed to passive.

I have a SFR investment property here and have been actively managing it the last 10 years and counting.

I am tight on cash right now as I started investing 3 years ago and have been actively buying and updating my properties.