I highly recommend @David Greene's first book "Long-Distance Real Estate Investing" which puts action to the idea: live where you want to live, invest where the numbers make sense.I am active duty military as well, and I live in San Diego.

@Daniel Hillman congrats on taking action!

The bad news was did not plan on doing this much work to the building.

Landlord must take reasonable action to fill the unit as well. 

As for the last comment that most threats of legal action, especially those that would be million dollar claims are rare, I would agree with him. 

I’ve been driving for dollars and found just over 70 distressed homes on my list, and all I do all day is try to learn but I’ve just gotten no clue how to take the first action step or what it is.I have no capital to invest (yet) which Is why I figured wholesaling was my best path, but I just really need some help.

Shortly after receiving this news, we contacted the owner above our unit and he said he'd get the leak fixed as soon as we closed on the property.

I've attended dozens of trainings (before learning my lesson) that added very little value and had actionable steps that were not very practical for me at the current stage of production that I was in.

Please note that this is not an apartment - rather he is renting a single room in a house and tenants in other rooms are not going to report him but will complain that they have asthma or other respiratory conditions and want to quit.Any actionable and constructive  (operational) suggestions are much appreciated.

Does anyone have any advice for my situation and how I can approach my next action