The remaining items were cosmetic.

I know what I'm currently looking for:-built in equity at purchase-needing cosmetic upgrades is fine $10-15k ( no structural work) hvac upgrade is fine-since my family will be living their the location must be family friendly-because I'm using my VA loan it has to meet requirements to qualifyMy question is, what other criteria must I consider/communicate to my agent to maximize this as an investment, but meet the needs of my family.

. $5000.00 down payment plus $5000.00 cosmetic repair.Approximately $27,000 is owed and about 20 years left on the loan. 

That is when we saw that brain annurism and scheduled that surgery to corrective surgery was to prevent a future problem.SFH's vs apartments have pros and cons.  

However, something came up and I will have to pay $20,000 for a surgery in a month, which will cut in half my $40,000 savings if I pay cash... 

The problem is I have knee surgery scheduled at this end of this month and I wont be able to go to work until October 2. 

They also said each property should not need more than about $2K of work so guess its more cosmetic.

Many can be bought for a very decent price and can be flipped for sometimes just cosmetic costs.

The properties I am interested in would be distressed and in need of cosmetic work. 

I guess if it's safety then, ok, but if just cosmetic and comfort, then may decline?