On AirBnb, it doesn't list square footage unless you contact the owner and ask.

A normal broker might be intimidated by an offer which doesn't conform to the traditional process.

Yes, you will have access to a VA loan with 100% financing, however:This doesn't to you a whole lot of good if you are only in a duty station for a few monthsDepending on your rank, duty station, and other factors, you may be required to live on base at timesVA loans are only for owner occupantsYour purchase price will still be dictated by your credit and income (see first bullet above), andIt can be extremely risky to buy with 100%+ financing at the peak of the market (I say 100%+ because many servicemembers and veterans roll their VA funding fee into their loan, which can leave them leveraged at 102% or more - with negative equity).

It doesn't sound like it will be a very good rental if your mortgage is $2k and even if you are able to get $2k in rents, you are going to be negative on the property.

Keeps the tenant happy, gives her a chance to find a new place or decide on what to do and doesn't cost me anything.

I agree the 2% rule doesn't apply to areas like Seattle but I'm adverse to any investment that I know will need money invested into it monthly, indefinitley.  

This is cheap with battery-powered materials, if your local code allows it, significantly more expensive with hard-wired models if your local code doesn't allow them.

The key is to make sure the seller doesn't feel you've jerked them around. 

Arlo seems to have good reviews and doesn't require a monthly subscription, though it certainly offers one. 

It doesn't matter if it's brand new, get a good home inspector you trust to walk through it.