But since you are getting into it so young, you could find a small 2 family or single family with mother-in-law suite and live n the smaller unit/ rent out the larger one.

However, you are running into privacy laws at that point and that service member could make a major deal about that.....pursuing a lawsuit going down that path. 

Which isn't as easy as it sounds, yes we won the lawsuit, yes we recovered every cent we had into the deal but oh the time.

@Cortie Wetherill III the best thing to do here is to file a lawsuit in small claims court, claiming economic damages to your business (rental unit) as a result of the neighbors conduct.  

An LLC can be a good way to protect yourself from the backlash of a lawsuit, but many banks will not give out loans for properties that are company owned.Set up a checking and savings account and possibly another savings account for security deposits.

The only reason he began the process is because I told him the lender wanted them and wouldn't release any more money until they had them.Did a lot of research on him and I can tell you if you go to https://www.courts.mo.gov/casenet/base/welcome.dothis is the database for all cases in MO, and let me tell you, Rich (and several versions of his business Semper Fi or STL Flips) has almost 400 cases against him, breech of contract, small claims, lawsuits, restraining orders, possession of controlled substances, siezed bank accounts, etc. dating back to the early 90s. 

I wonder if all that cover-your-a__ talk actually helps protect the sponsor if there is an investor lawsuit.

I saw that Zillow was recently sued over their Zestimates , but people sue for anything these days .http://www.marketwatch.com/story/do-zillow-zestimates-mislead-home-buyers-illinois-lawsuit-claims-yes-2017-05-22In my experience it can give you a pretty close idea of value but actual comps or an appraisal of course will be a lot more accurate .Another thing is I've noticed huge differences between Zillow zestimates and the redfin.com estimates .I noticed something recently on zillow where it had something you can click if you don't agree with the zestimate.

If they have the money to put down, if they have a job that will support the payment under good lending guideline Ratios,  (I used to be a loan officer and that is how I was trained), and If they don't have *unpaid* child support, if they aren't *delinquent* on student loans, if they aren't currently in a bankruptcy, if they aren't currently in a divorce, if they aren't currently in a lawsuit, etc.

More specifically, start searching for an SFH with an in-law suite that can be sourced as either an LTR or STR, SFH with an ADU, SHF with an unfinished basement that can be converted into an additional unit, SFH rent by the room, etc.