Size, rooms/bath, garage, year built are just some examples of what you use to find like properties.Practice makes perfect and this exercise will also increase your knowledge in each neighborhood.

@Heather Wendel If you consider working with Airbnb or vacation rental managers, you would open yourself up to wide variety of investment opportunities as you would not be confided to areas you and your husband physically go on a regular place.I recently helped out on an Airbnb investor's report on the top markets for investors based on ROI opportunities.  

Are you taking a course at a physical location or online?

That's the amount you would be willing to invest today to get those dollar amounts at the end of each of those 5 years.So basically in the above exercise you had the future cash flows and the discount rate and from that you calculated the Present Value.

I'll chime in briefly, then take my leave.The method of payment for the purchase (cash out, RE Contract, DofT) when exercised will be outlined in the Option only.  

Our people are all bonded and insured and in 15 years i only had once complaint of theft, for something that was found later by the tenant in their son's room.You have to exercise control, but in compliance to the lease and codes.

A little about me:-Marine Corps Veteran-3 purchases in 2016 (house hack & 2 rentals)-Finishing up Masters in Accounting-Finishing up CPA exams (2 out of 4 done)-Loan Officer for local lender (conventional financing, but I love doing loans for investors)-I'm passionate about physical fitness, self-improvement, and business/real estate. 

You will have to make a nonrefundable deposit, but it's much less than a down payment, and will count as one if you exercise your option.

He is currently going to school to be a physical therapist. 

I would probably visit at least once to drive the neighborhood and see how you feel before purchasing, but as far as the inspections and even the actual closing (we do most in escrow so you can close out of state properties without physically flying in), people do it all the time.