Everyone else on your team will be transaction-based and not really involved after a purchase.We're in the Metro Detroit area, so you may want to follow our blog here on BP, but at least read the following posts:Follow our "Deep Dive" series we're doing about Metro Detroit cities and City of Detroit Neighborhoods: https://www.biggerpockets.com/...How to “Screen a PMC Better than a Tenant”: https://www.biggerpockets.com/member-blogs/3094/91877-how-to-screen-a-pmc-better-than-a-tenant-part-1-services-and-processesIn our experience you will need to:1) Learn to "Maintain to the Neighborhood", not your personal standards2) Tenant-Proof everything you can Hard surface flooring, not carpeting (too easy to trash) Same basic paint for everything No garbage disposals for them to break Only spring-type doorstops also with plate on the wall Glue rubber mats under sinks to prevent water damage Sheet aluminum on walls around stovetops, for easy grease removal Towel racks - screw 1x3 to wall studs, then screw rack to that Install low-profile downspout ext, not aluminum that always disappear Plan on cleaning gutters and leaves up in the fall as tenants won't Avoid garage door openers3) Have a great application screening process: Check credit for evictions & convictions, utility collections Focus on employment/income stability Require bank or debit card statement - you'll be surprised what they spend their money on!

Full entitlement to a VA loan is only restored once you dispose of the property (the only exception being a one-time restoration that the VA must approve).  

Do they charge a financing/loan guarantee fee, disposal fee, refi fee, etc?  

Condo quality unit in fantastic, well-managed condo association offers hardwood floors, updated kitchen w/ dishwasher/disposal, high ceilings, tons of natural light from 3 windows.

In other words, I'm not going to remodel the kitchen but I'll replace a broken garbage disposer. 

Totally agree about the access to CTA lines--one of the greatest benefits of living in the city--having a world class, reliable public transportation system at our disposal. 

I own several apartment buildings and I remove every dishwasher and garbage disposer and not one tenant every complained.

I thought about asking my dad to co-sign for me. he is a high income earner and has disposable income.

Having $40k+ at your disposal right now to jump on new opportunities or even just investing in the stock market in the meantime offers the potential for a much higher rate of return.

A clogged toilet, a faucet that leaks, a garbage disposal gets stuck( i yank them out), etc.