We have just a couple down there to test things out to see how we like doing the out of state investing thing. 

That would give you more flexibility, but you would have to pay all of the loan costs before even getting into the rehab.It might be worth testing the market as is.

The question of real estate financing was brought up almost immediately after the Act and it didn't meet the test.

I've taken some data from the NAHB 2013, so have a better idea now.

So, about the only con I see is the course work and open book tests you have to suffer through.

Including signatures by the person who didnt turn the reciept in to the office :-)Our main tracking comes from quickbooks where every reciept is recorded, every check, every hud, every loan, basically every piece of financial data.

It's pulling from local public data,  so Zillow results can vary by location. 

Call the property tax authority and ask them if owner data is public record and then get a spreadsheet export of properties that meet your criteria.

I know many vets who like me drive truck, and pass random drug tests on a regular basis.

Then let them know that if the data does look similiar in 6 months and you have made improvements to the property you will be raising the rent a resonable amlunt but still providing them the best value in the area.