How does a Captain choose whether to sail through the storm and beat the competition or stay in Port and gather more information and supplies?

You might be better off with a more central location with no guarantee that you will supply supervision. 

It adds a layer of complexity and you can still claim vehicle, meals, supplies, and other items under your business expenses for the LLC.

Once you've studied real estate principles, including basic title, documents, valuation, financing, etc. and are ready to begin finding, I suggest you make a field trip to a fishing tackle shop, a hunting gun store and a gold prospected supply store. 

Another thought - a really good contractor is going to be working with supply houses that you don't have access to.

My experience has been there are two types of private investor deals:1) Debt - the private investor loans you $32k at a fixed (or variable) interest rate for a specific period of time.  

Its amazing the amount of money that these younger folks have and or are making in certain areas of the country.I think rents follow supply and wages to a degree but supply for sure.

We give them a handful of documents along with the lease (i.e. a lead disclosure and what not) and also leave a "move in gift" which is mostly cleaning supplies, a cheap plunger and the like (hint, hint).

Too many variables to hypothesize. 

Any suggestions for appliances , do landlords still carpet,  do you supply microwaves,   Finally what is the current rent for a two bedroom third floor unit.