@Victoria Hill I would read Rich Dad Poor Dad. 

SD market is tough for cash flow, at least when you initially purchase the home.Your best bet is a live in flip / house hack, meaning you buy a house in need of some love in a nice neighborhood at a discount, fix it up and then house hack.  

Your best bet is to buy a multifamily, live in one unit for a year, and rent out the other units. 

Once you run the numbers and see it would be a poor investment, see what would need to happen in order for it to be a good deal by your standards.

If you plan on using your VA loan (which I highly recommend for a house-hack) you have a few options: Your best bet would be getting a full time job lined up immediately after your EAS.

Purchase price: $385,000 Cash invested: $130,000 Worked with 4 friends to buy a poorly managed quad in a stable area.

I have so many examples of bad experiences; poor communication, rarely shows up on time or at all, etc. 

I don't know the average time on market there, but would bet it's in the 6-12 month range.  

If you expect to use it for another property and pay back the "loan" over a few years, the REFI is probably the better bet.

@MarieChele Porter it is definitely poor workmanship.