However, prices inceased so much, and the square footage (over 1k) and amenities were so nice that we decided just to hang onto it.  

@David Frey the method that many of us vets talk about is using your BAH to pay for your SIDE of a property. 

I also found some apparently nice leases  specific for my state  for free just by googling. 

  $1,000 (a nice round number) is totally junk.

This method allows you to make very large depreciation deductions from your property, to offset your income tax.

My goal is to have a nice place to life for a while that we will fix up and maybe sell for a profit 5 in a few years due to equity created in rehab.

I have to say it's been nice not paying the crazy rent prices I'm sure you're paying.  

We focus on renovating houses in those areas, and granted our houses come out really, really nice, but haven't had any issues at all renting them out!  

I am in the process of renovating a rental property through an insurance claim after a recent fire. Appliances are not included in the insurance claim of what's being covered by insurance since that falls under "perso...

Would need a gate as well and I am not confident in how to price it, so I am looking for contractors that would offer an honest price and do a good job.Also, anyone have a good ballparking method for cost of these things?