Thanks for all the great information, and support BP and if anybody is in Columbus, let's grab a beer and talk some real estate!

Support from your immediate family is a huge benefit.  

Unfortunately this means there's very little on the market, but doesn't justify higher rent prices because the local economy just doesn't support it.I'll keep looking.My other option is to go out a bit more rural, but I don't understand the market and those houses will be much, much harder to sell when I decide to get rid of them.

I won't need much support from the brokerage firm would like minimal fees in exchange.

I did call the "support" team but they don't seem to have any knowledge of the system themselves.

I think you will quickly get a sense of what the market is supporting. 3.

I was lucky to be married to a great woman who has been able to support me and our daughter (who is now in college) and has been saving money for about 25 years.We live in a home that has been mortgage-free for about 20 years and has increased in value about 21/2 times what we paid for it in 1984.  

There are no anti-flipping rules for USDA other than the lender should ensure the appraisal is strongly supported by validated comps in the area.

I have a whole legal argument about why this precedent doesn't apply, with supporting case history, but of course no judge--even the ones who don't follow the statutes themselves when ruling (happens a lot)--want a lesson or lecture in law from a layman like me.

If the property can support the debt easily I would go that route.  5 year balloons sneak up on you quicker than you think.