I am married and trying to convince my wife that rei is the way to go for our future.

@Lana Lee when you own your primary residence, and it goes up in value, you do not pay any taxes on it up to a gain of $250,000 for a single person and up to $500,000 for a married couple if you have lived in the property for 2 out of the last 5 years. 

I'm open to hearing any alternative strategies at any point in this plan.Quick background: I'm engaged, no kids yet but planning to have several quickly after getting married, no real estate experience, former Airman, full VA entitlement available, live in Phoenix area, currently make $50k/year and raises are very likely over the next few years, no debt, $15k in savings.

@Leo marry your passive income generator (PIG) the low cost duplex with a passive activity loss (PAL) another property that generates a tax loss each year.

I am 28, married, and currently work full time as an engineer at Boeing.

Or you can look at marrying continued low interest rates but see what happens if you collect 20% less in rent (lower rents + more vacancy).

Do not purchase a home till you have the down payment otherwise you are spending beyond your means.If you are not married do not buy a home, continue to rent otherwise the legal implications of a split up will be costly.

You'd then have to marry that information with looking at the housing stock, development/redevelopment plans, business coming to the area, etc.  

I have seen a ton of partnerships break up and non-married couples as partners are the worst.

But if you have the money and your not married to the idea of being a traditional landlord then, buying a property at market price and putting it up on air bnb may be worth looking into.