I don't want to begrudge an agent their due; neither do I want to paint myself into a corner for the year if things don't work out.

I think your approach to purchasing a condo downtown using your VA loan could work out well; I did the same with a SFH in Clarksville and house hacked it for a period and walked away with a good ROI. 

We don't see the effects of it very clearly yet, but most of the American economic capacity has been hollowed out. 

After my refinance, the numbers roughly work out to a savings of $450 a month and my mortgage now is just over $1k a month.

You should expect to work out the kinks (people and resources) when you are investing out of your area. 

Is it ethical for school districts to maintain current budgets and payrolls when those services are not being provided or at the very least those service  capacities are severally reduced?

Is it ethical for school districts to maintain current budgets and payrolls when those services are not being provided or at the very least those service capacities are severally reduced?

But their plans don't always work out. 

As long as you abide by their policy of one year occupancy and "upgrade" your living situation, you would be able to get a second property under it (assuming your numbers all work out).

@Puri Indah, You and your accountant will work out a reasonable allocation of starting basis in that property.