I've looked at their P&L statement and their finances and know they could afford the property they are looking at. 

More expensive rental homes in Vegas can attract a high rent rate but also a more transient renter (stay for a 12-18 months or less) who can afford to eventually buy their own home.

I can’t afford a rehab/flip in Howard  so I was thinking Carroll or Baltimore county. 

La Mesa/San Carlos/Lake Murray area I think are really good options if you can afford it. 

I can't keep my current job that afforded me the house so I'm going to take a pretty decent pay cut and transitioning into a different field of work all together.

That being the case, I bake those costs into  my property analyzer so that I can afford them and still get my desired return.

Still trying to get my head wrapped certain ideas concerning real estate, but I am always interested in learning more as it seems the best way for me to reach my goals of being able to afford a good sized family and actually spend sometime around them instead of 60 hour work weeks.

If you can afford a 3-4BR+, you'll have less competition.

do new buyers have to sign off on properties not yet brought up to public health standards for Drinking water?

If you cant afford to do it right , how can you afford to do it over ?