If you have exhausted yourself with these first three steps and you still have 2 or more markets that look good, then make your final decision based on convenience.  

Another thing to consider is a convenient office location that has few distractions.  

It needs to be convenient for you and have minimal distractions.  

I'm not familiar with VA loans but generally up to 4 units are still considered residential properties, not commercial, and can use conveniently financing.

Depending on your budget, you should be able to tick some or all of the following boxes: VIEWS, convenience of location (Close to restaurants and coffee), quiet, nearby trails, amenities (golf, gym, pool, etc), and of course the normally desired quality and size of home/furniture/etc.There are condos that can be rented nightly, priced under $300k.

Convenient to Lake George, Gas Station, Food, and Bookstore.

Myrtle Beach has a very conveniently located international airport and plenty of dining and entertainment.

Then I would tear it down and build a SFH or a nice duplex to either rent out on a lease, or even do a VRBO/AirBnB-type situation (which would be convenient to maintain since it's next door).

Don't pester them to death...instead try to schedule some times at their convenience when you can pick their brains, or study the MLS with them, or even drive an area.

Once that happens it is just a matter of the two sides finding a convenient date and time to close.