However, thinking realistically with my upcoming new job and finishing school, I probably will not have time, nor the energy for sweat equity, so I am thinking I should buy and hold to build equity, as opposed to focusing on building cash flow.I am aware there may be things I have not considered - so I am humbly asking the question --- What would you do if you had access to VA, FHA and conventional loans, approx 20-30K capital, good credit and low DTI?

While I'm still not 100% sure we have made the right move in terms of numbers, I'm pretty confident we are in the right track based on what we have taken into consideration Vs what we've been reading.Now back to my question, our first rental is been on the market for a little over 2 weeks and after reducing the price a little we got a better response from potential renters.

While I'm still not 100% sure we have made the right move in terms of numbers, I'm pretty confident we are in the right track based on what we have taken into consideration Vs what we've been reading.Now back to my question, our first rental is been on the market for a little over 2 weeks and after reducing the price a little we got a better response from potential renters.

I would say my priorities are: (1) good/stable/consistent renters with a good property management company (reduce my time input), (2) and (3) equally, cash flow and appreciation.  

In addition, we want to minimize the amount of TLC-work we need to do because we want to focus our energies elsewhere.  

However, thinking realistically with my upcoming new job and finishing school, I probably will not have time, nor the energy for sweat equity, so I am thinking I should buy and hold to build equity, as opposed to focusing on building cash flow.I am aware there may be things I have not considered - so I am humbly asking the question --- What would you do if you had access to VA, FHA and conventional loans, approx 20-30K capital, good credit and low DTI?

The wholefoods and other big chains slating to open is the ara is what im watching closely brfore pulling the triger. the hopes is that wilk crate jobs and help to reduce the crime rate.

The goal of a rental is to reduce your maintenance.

I am guilty over the years of drawing a line in the sand also, and in retrospect, from the viewpoint of decades later, I was wasting time, emotional energy, and relationships. 

Think about all of the time, money, and energy it takes to mail to the same person 5-7 times.