Both have strong, diverse economies with good economic and demographic fundamentals but their economies are based on different industries.

Some great comments in this thread.Hello @Mary Pastoral,A fundamental question to consider is what qualifies as a good investment property.For most people, the goal is to leave the corporate treadmill and stay off it.

I finished taking a CRE analysis fundamentals course this month, and I have all of this new knowledge on taking a commercial investment opportunity, and running the numbers to devise my own proforma, as well as evaluate important things like future value of money, etc...

It might and a simple FAQ search on the website should answer.I am eligible to 'take advantage' of VA loans but never have.

The portion that is considered your primary residence would be eligible for a 121 exclusion.  

After the inspection period, that earnest money counts towards the deposit given at contract signing.Difference is that if the buyer tries to back out of the deal, sellers might be eligible to keep the earnest money depending on the language in the contract.

Forming relationships and networking with like minded people is fundamentally important.And keep reading BP and asking questions.

Our situation:  I have a W2 job with the military and will be eligible for the retirement pension in 3 years, but will probably stay in 5 and then hope to  transition to REI full time.My wife is a realtor with 3 years working part time, but starting to  get  closer to  3/4 time.We have a 4Plex that brings  in approx $50k in rental income and cashflows about $2k  per month  managed  by a property manager in CO. 

I'm looking for tips from the community on rehabbing an already decent credit score so I remain eligible for the lowest interest rates.

If we don't hear from them by noon of the last day, we ask one last time and if we don't hear anything, we send them a notice to vacate and we start advertising/showing the unit on the first eligible day.