The best way to optimize a profit and increase return to the owner would be to partner.

While the 2017 housing market was marked by renewed optimism fueled by stock market strength, higher wages and a competitive environment for home sales, 2018 delivered a more seasoned prudence toward residential real estate.

We are personally comfortable being renters as it suits our frequent moves, but I can't help but feel like we could really optimize certain advantages like BAH, and VA/TSP loans with the right amount of research.The problem is we don't really have the time or interest to be long-distance landlords, and with very young children (and more on the way) the immediate time suck of rehabbing and the home chaos of living in a place under construction (if we went the BRRRR route) is almost completely out of the question. 

Not only that but they are renting for well under 1%.Even at those numbers and super cheap financing and highly optimized operating expenditure profiles, this has to be an appreciation play rather than a cashflow play. 

I think we are going to continue looking for a more optimal deal but will keep our feelers out in the blocks a little closer to Hopkins.

Chris Gordon So some of this boils down to “pick your metric” as you can optimize cash-on-cash and return-on-equity.

You just criticized Omar Khan for playing the “what if” game then you immediately started playing the “what if” game with an optimal real estate scenario.

Your CoC will not be optimized, but there is some thing to be said for a simple purchase.

Hence, the restrictions (valid IMO) in place (always paying mortgage insurance) will not be optimal if you make an above-average salary. 

Self management isn't all that difficult—it requires some dedication and optimism when you find yourself dealing with the more annoying "human" problems (i.e. negotiating a tenant not paying rent or destroying your home, etc.) but there's plenty of tradeoff.