REI is a numbers game. 

He needs to expect he will get these phone calls and he should know it's part of the game.

Management (even if you self manage you should budget for it so that that if something changes you have the room for it) repairs, maintenance, (this should b low initially since you just did rehab but in the rental game things happen and you should plan for it) Snow removal?

It puts them on notice that this isn't a game.

I just want to make sure I am following a sound strategy that puts ahead of the game now instead of behind. 

They have more skin in the game then you do.Make sure you get clear title.

But, this change I think really changes the game for veterans acquiring multi-unit property and using their VA Home Loan Benefit to house hack, and get a great start to their portfolio!

Learning about this is a game changer for me!

It sounds like you aren't the type of CPA that needs to acquire your own business-meaning its a completely different ball game when you are solely dependent on yourself to generate leads/business.

I just heard someone very experienced tell me that RE investing is an insiders game.