Learn how to utilize a LOC to pay your current mortgage down over the next couple of years in order to gain equity in your current home.

Doing so, if any damage is caused it is actually a federal crime-With an accepted bid, you might be able to activate the utilities. 

My tenants pay for all utilities, but my rentals are all single family properties.

Whether you're a fix and flipper or landlord investor another type of real estate investor, what are the current resources you are utilizing to get your deals funded? 

If you can use your VA loan to buy a property to live in, which will turn into a cash producing asset down the road, I definitely recommend doing so; take advantage of the zero down loan if you are able to.

As far as 'crazy renters', I've actually read that the social media STR market (AirBnB and VRBO), where you get reviewed, produces better renters with less damage overall. 

We are fortunate enough to have a situation where we are living for free (minus taxes and utilities) so we wouldn't have to actually live through the flip and can wait to find the right deal.

Glad to see you are utilizing a property manager right from the get go.

If you put yourself in the rational consumer’s shoes, you would consider the total cost of each of the following housing options:A) a monthly mortgage payment + utilities + insurance + taxes on a single family home that you buyB) a monthly rental payment + utilities on a 3 bedroom single family home that you rent C) a monthly rental payment + lot rent + utilities on a 3 bedroom mobile home rental that you rent D) a monthly mortgage payment + lot rent + utilities + insurance + taxes on a 3 bedroom mobile home that you own (own the home and rent the land)A deal breaker for me is a situation where there’s <$200 spread between options A/B and C/D.  

At the end of the day and extra 2% in interest (if that) isn't usually a deal breaker on an income producing commercial property.Hope this clears some stuff up for you.