My goal is long term.

@Eric MartelMr Martel, with the significant jump in interest rates the last several months, are you still finding buy and hold investors to purchase the properties after the flippers have done the rehab and placed a tenant?

Furthermore, recognizing the tax advantages of utilizing a 1031 exchange can significantly impact your long-term wealth-building strategy.

I've spent the last year following the real estate market and learning more about it, finally feel ready to make the jump to invest (especially since the deals are coming out to light). 

Which one (usually, and I understand it's not simple) has a better resale and long-term potential?

I know a couple of Americans who have gone so far as to repatriate to the US for a couple of years - long enough to no longer be a "tax resident" under the J tax regime - in order to complete a shuffling/1031 rebalancing of their US portfolios. 

@Jason Babos As long as you plan to use a property management company and the numbers on the deal pencil, I don't think it's too much to handle for a first deal. 

You are getting good advice.I use a PM now, but when we were self managing we used the application our screening company provided with an additional page of additional questions I wanted to ask to support my screening point system.I ask more about address history, I want to know how familiar they are with our neighborhood and how long they stay on average. 

This would have to be retroactive to the date of her Active Duty enlistment (or orders if guard/reserve) and apply up to 6mo after her Date of Separation.It can be a long hard road, but well worth it. 

I'm thinking about selling in the next year and I have read that if I now live in the property for the last 2 of 5 years that I won't pay taxes on the first $250,000.