So my personal view is, have the LLCs in the states where the properties are to start with and you will save you issues down the track!

I then realized I wasn’t saving my money to eventually buy rental properties like I want to.

Worst case scenario you can always get a pm any time if you just hate or can't do it but at least you will save some money in the mean time.

This means you will be pocketing $100 each month after all expenses, debt service, Capex savings etc. 

Investor agents don't always save as much money as they think they will after paying broker commissions, fees, and doing all of the work.

I have a couple of properties, substantial savings but property #3 has eluded me for 2 years now. 

Great post, @Steve MaginnisI'm working on a sale now - the owner is self managing landlord, he's proud how much money he saved for 25 years of owning few condos.He was renting his condo for $650/mo - no lease, tenant pay cash, he pays HOA, taxes and happy to have $400/mo cash flow.I rent exactly same condo for my tenant in this development for $890, same expenses =$250/mo and my PM=$100.

Get educated and start saving .

If you want to save some money though and get your hands dirty there are products you can purchase on domyownpestcontrol.com but you will need to follow the labels and be thorough which shouldn’t be too hard since all furniture and carpet is removed.

You should be able to save more money while deployed, but keep in mind it's only 9-12 months.