I came across a wholesaler/rehabber in Texas who has made the following pitch; Description: Under market value fixer upper 4 beds 2 bath, 1078 sqft, lot size: .13 acres, yearly taxes: $1,200.00, estimated insurance: $750.00, estimated repairs: 30K; central hvac, flooring, update kitchen/bath, roof, interior/exterior finish.Price: $49,000 CashARV: 109-115KExit Strategy: Owner Finance with 30K repairs: 5k down, $1,095.00 monthly P/I, 30 year amortization, 10% interest, Price: 109kRent with 30K in repairs: $1,095.00 with section 8, no need to chase the monthly payment, Housing Authority pays direct deposit to your account.He is recommending a cash purchase but also has a lender who does rehab loans.  

Both were sleepy mid-sized cities a few years ago and have seen explosive economic and population growth in the last 10 years and are now considered major destination cities.

I won't have much saved, but we will be receiving 3k a month from the GI Bill until we can find  some part time employment, then that 3k will be additional.

The Naval Bases and Navy Shipyard are the big employers followed by academia (the colleges and local school districts).

Profits from short-term flips will be taxed similar to ordinary income, so you might be giving a good size chunk of the profits to Uncle Sam each year.

If you install, I wouldn't give access to tenants to monitor, We had outdoor cameras at a big complex I managed, people knew how to skirt them and was only the stupid ones that were actually occasionally caught, we had one in the pool area and that we used alot to monitor the swim area where it made sense.But they get wise, they rip the cameras out, or bust them up.I couldn't really see a reason for your size property,, I actually think it would make new tenants wonder why you would need them, as if the area was a WATCH ZONE..

We have found it nearly impossible to buy a house being self employed at this time.

I believe a lot of this has to do with your employer and the rules they establish with the company that oversees your account.I do not know how the SDIRA's work, but I'm not sure they can loan you money in the same manner.

If this was my project and you told me you weren't "using your insurance", and balked at filling out a w9 on what appears to be a job of significant size, I'd probably bail and try to get my deposit back as well.

Instead set a goal to replace your employment income with investment income.If you do not presently have a job you have already reached your goal.