They hide/redact the contract they have with the seller as long as they can, even though the contract is what they are really selling 🤔.

You also have to find a complex that has strong financials and no restrictions on the number of units that can be rentals or on how long a unit can be rented for.

As long as your work income is sufficient I see no issue in you not getting a FHA loan at a good interest rate. 

The list is long as far as what you need to do first...starting with learning how to analyze Markets, How Money Works and how to develop a REI Plan. 

If this new law passes (currently in committee), then it would not be legal for the landlord to EVER ask the tenant to leave, so long as they are paying their rent, even if late.

You cannot escape US federal income tax so long as you are a US citizen.

Another thing to think about is going month to month with the tenants until the summer time (a time when many people are moving) so that you can get a feel for them because if they are crazy tenants (remember these are tenants you didn't screen) then you will be stuck with them as long as your lease agreement is (most are a year).

Get 1st, last and deposit or a deposit equal to 1.5X rent to offset when things go south.Minimize how long a place is vacant by getting a new tenant ASAP when one moves out.Motion lights front and back help deter people from being where they shouldn't be.HVAC cages are a good investment.File an eviction when they are late to train them to pay the rent if they want to stay.

As long as you find someone you can develop a relationship with and TRUST, though, it just gets easier from there, and before you know it, you have a whole portfolio injecting deposits into your account every month!

As long as you plan on living in the house for a year you could absolutely do a live-in flip and then sell after a year and recoup your VA entitlement.