They have legitimate reasons for leaving the area and returning and are wanting to meet in person to view the property.It looks like they left off the phone number, but if that is a concern of yours, you can always email back and request it by suggesting you would like to call them to schedule a time to view the property.Red flags for me for somebody moving from out of town would be some combination of the following:-Not familiar with the area at all-Does not have stable work lined up in the area-Does not know anybody in the area and/or has never visited-Wants to wire money to you or not willing to pay app fee and complete a credit/background check-Has a rich Egyptian uncle who has fallen on hard times :)

It's less stable, but you might be able to make it work with a VA loan.Why conventional instead of a VA loan?

I think if you want it to work and have a stable job with median pay for the area you can buy a home.

Does personal finances, good credit, good DTI, and stable w2 tax paying jobs play a role in investment mortgages? 

I made a commitment to take on an internship, student teaching to be specific, that will allow me to change positions within the prison while completing my graduate degree (paid for via GI Bill) that will be higher in pay and with more stable hours. 

Just to add, I know someone keeps his units lower/does not raise rent as much to sustain good tenants and stable tenancy. good luck

Find a stable family that can afford the place.

I have a small 2/1 SFR in southern California that currently rents out for $1,295 per month with very stable tenants.

@Chris V.Not to lecture here, but as you're building your empire, you should be accumulating a stable of "I got a guy's".  

I really enjoy my current career; however, I would like to take advantage of my stable employment and income to enter into the real estate investing world.My goal is to achieve financial freedom through buy and hold investments in multifamily/small apartment complexes while working my main job. i am also interested in gaining domain-specific expertise in areas of real estate investing with the hopes of using my software background to build technology and solutions to better the real estate world.I recently purchased my first owner-occupied home in Santa Cruz.