Especially with most units requiring 3 different paints/colors: walls, ceiling and base/trim/doors.

With Norfolk Naval Base, EVMS and ODU, rentals are always in demand.

You already have a knowledge base in standard rental's, why not solve multiple problems with 1 action?

.#3 At this point I would have a good lender or two in your pocket that have run different options for you based on what you qualify for loan wise. 

If you dream of owning on the Coast be very cautious of regulations against STRs, most communities are not STR friendly and some towns have revoked STR permits (lawsuits galore on that), so talk with an Oregon Coast based agent who KNOWS STRs or you could end up with an investment you can't rent and just have to wait out all the expenses of ownership until the appreciation kicks in.

In fact, I wouldn't consider myself an expert, but I've been investing in midwest markets (Memphis and Detroit) since late 2020 and I'd be happy to answer any questions, give advice based on my experience, or connect you with teams I've worked with.

Make a decision based on the numbers.

Regardless if a price of a property is high, I learned that sellers are humans and they will react and sell a property based on how they feel.

In my experience “hard” money is used to describe an extreme section of what’s referred to as asset based lending.  

I would base the theme on what the house is near.