Learn about your individual local markets based on your desired home.

Your bank is simply offering you a conventional loan. 

A lot of those older houses have corroded cast iron or galvanized pipes.Asbestos - This was use in many house products all the way back to the 30s.Lead-based paint - This was used up until 1977.  

I am looking in to a SFR brand new construction that offers live and work usage.

In terms of the investor side of things, I think I'm ready to start making some offers to do some wholesale deals.

I am 29, single, employed, have ample savings, a full VA loan, and am pre approved for 550k, and looking within an hour of the dc metro area, ideally Harford county MD due to the good schools and military bases near by. 

Thanks for sharing, I agree that time and long term investing offers the best return on the monumental investment it takes to  update a home.

Ultimately, having a guarantor offers added peace of mind.

It gives you a broad base to work from and a substantial range of knowledge when making connections.

Here are some additional activities that count, toward real estate professional and material participation hours.Research market for real estate transaction opportunities; current office market rates; terms of financingMaking offer contracts for properties that you end up buyingNegotiation for acquisition of rental properties that you end up purchasing; including directing due diligence and managing financial projections/business plansObtaining financing for properties that you purchaseProperty inspectionsAdvertisingMeeting with Prospective Tenants/showing properties to prospective tenantsNegotiate, obtain, & review proposals and contracts with vendors (insurance, utilities, etc) for property servicesReview and Negotiate The Terms of Sale AgreementsStaging and Decorating3rd party contractor, vendor, or service provider supervision