You should only do what you can afford.

Have as many BR and Bathrooms that you can afford (i.e. get financing for). 

I have been looking into other skip tracing options for seller lead lists, do you have any recommendations for affordable skip tracing websites or services?

@Kristyn Grimes  window cranks, patio furniture. 

put some standard dimension furniture 60x80 bed in it and you will see.  

Furniture stored and used outdoors should be outdoor furniture, not indoor upholstered items.Steps (front and rear) and sidewalks: should be clean, and free of hazards.

You also have to pay for the extras (internet, cable, utilities) as well as furniture, dishes and linens.

Many years before I became a realtor I was a USAF veteran working an IT job and was bedazzled by the market at the time and a "perfect" house and bought at the tippy top ceiling of my affordable price range (chasing that white picket fence dream, etc.), using my VA benefit. 

I would ask for pay stubs and/or bank account summary to show he can afford it.

Anyone know an affordable way to go about this?