One of my goals is once I have a good roll and passive income that can take care of regular expenses with is to contribute even more from my military paycheck to the point where I can max it out.

They are doing great on appreciation but might have to start putting money in on a regular basis to make ends meet.

I have an aunt in ABQ, and travel to El Paso for my wife’s family regularly, but do not anticipate making trips specifically for real estate to Albuquerque often. 

It can't be any more difficult than your regular job. 

Is this event still taking place regularly? 

Everything cleaned, hard floors swept or mopped, carpets professionally cleaned, appliances cleaned inside and out, windows washed, sills / trim / baseboard / counters / other flat surfaces dusted, all light bulbs operational, etc. 

FHA is good too... but you end up paying some pretty hefty Mortgage Insurance Premiums (regular Mortgage Insurance for a conventional loan is generally lower). 

If you don't plan on managing the rental yourself (i.e. changing the rooms between guests, sweeping, vacuuming, washing dishes, laundering the sheets and towels, etc.), then you'll need to budget for a property manager. 

Many people would want to “reward” themselves lavishly and regularly for working like that.

There is a group of a dozen of my regular STR tenants coming here in a week.