Just finished 8 years in the Military; I got my Brokers license in 2012 while on Leave from a deployment. 

@Brant Vaught  If you have no cash reserves, then your FIRST item of business is to BUILD YORU CASH RESERVES!!

It gave you the status of someone that knew what they were doing and could handle all the required items involved, it was not a case of the blind leading the blind and the other party liked that.

I'm retired military.  

Va Beach also has a big military conglomerate and spring is a better time as military usually rotate in spring.

Look at all the places they do not want you to inspect to find the expensive repair items that could turn the deal into a dud.Great cash flow in years one and two can be wiped out at once with a few big ticket repair items.Some TK companies are good but it's buyer beware out there. 

My husband is active navy military so we live a VERY transient life.

I feel like I should get some basic items in order first or would it be better to do it all simultaneously?? 

We ended up doing about $5,000 worth of upgrades (all new backyard fence (and the backyard was huge), kitchen backsplash, etc.)What caught me off guard more than anything was the utility bills, on going lawn care, open house and "realtor love" expense, a few staging items, etc.  

It has been over 5 years and he has been on probation with nothing but good references and works as a construction project manager so problems with the house will be only major issues all small items he can handle.