Having said that, there are different degrees.

The veteran was in between his freshman and sophomore years on a 4 year degree plan at a 4 year university. 

Beyond that, any forced appreciation you can create or deal below fair market value you can find will insulate you to some degree from short term market fluctuations, as do your down payment and cash reserves, so it is a question of how much "insulation" do you need to sleep comfortably.

So I am employing many different tactics to varying degrees of success.I am assuming you are ready to make an offer without seeing the place because if you plan to find something and come and look at it before making an offer its most likely going to be gone before you get here if its any good.  

In terms of the basement and attic potentially not being warm enough, I'd be a little bit concerned about that because landlords are required to keep units at 68 degrees during the day and 66 at night from September through May.  

Currently I am in Georgia for AIT learning how to become a satellite communications operator/maintainer for the National Guard and once I return to central Missouri I plan on continuing my college education and pursuing a degree in cybersecurity.

@Chris PurcellActually, it can be a 5K fine not to mention a 3rd degree felony charge.

But a number of things can come up in a building inspection that I can argue with a degree of latitude on.    

My back ground is government employee; I have a bachelors in Business Administration and an Associate Degree in Office Administration.

Not everyone is meant to go to college and get a 4 year degree.