The last job I had before I was "retired" paid just under six figures - I have no degrees, I just happen to be one of a few hundred people in the world who do what I did as an IT pro.

Due to the school growing in the area (they are adding more degrees like a physician's assistant degree) and they are currently at 60% occupancy of the land they actually own in the area, you can see there's only growth potential for a rental market within 1 mile of the school itself for a while so the equity will continue to increase in value while I continue to collect rent at the local market price.  

And to some degree, it's about your comfort level.

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.