Saving grace is that the 1 bedroom market is solid and has appreciated significantly in the last 12 months, and my tenants signed a 15 month lease so it will turn over in late spring instead.   

You will save yourself a lot of time, headaches and most of all money if you buy properties that have already been rehabbed or only need light cosmetic work to be rented out.

I will easily save 2k+ a month.

I've had new VA clients this year miss out on properties in multiple offer situations by asking the seller to pay their closing costs (against my firm advice to the contrary) because of something they read online or someone told them about VA loans.

I encourage you to do the process as it is easy and will save you a good chunk of change. 

Take pictures of everything before you gut, save all materials. 

Safe Credit Union, US Bank, El Dorado Savings, Golden Pacific Bank.

@Kevin Phu set up a separate bank account with a bank that has online banking.  

So again not worth it.If you were simply buying a property for at least $45k you'd probably have some decent savings.

The market here is relatively expensive, we both have pretty good jobs, but would like to avoid using our entire savings to get this off the ground.