Scott Prock I highly recommend jscotts rehab estimating book as a good primer, and soon I'll be releasing a market based estimating tool for people who like their numbers tight.

I would hope that the data would extend back as many years as possible—a decade or more at least. 

In your opinion what would be your advice for the best use of a pension that will be released in the future?

now, you could sell one or two of them, IF your lender would agree to Release them from the mtg.  

I've reached out to some local realtors who specialize in investment properties seeing if they would be interested in acquiring someone for an intern type position, and thought I would extend the question out to the landlords and property managers around the Des Moines area.

Be aware that if you're ever wholesaling to a buyer using a VA loan, the deal may not work, as they require you to be on title for an extended "Not 100% on how long" period of time. 

You as the expert in marketing real estate can be a huge help: you will want a lease signed and security deposit made in time for underwriter review, prior to releasing financing contingency because hypothetical tenants and hypothetical rental income will not cut it.

As such - I'd highly recommend you check out "The Book on Estimating Rehab Costs" that BiggerPockets just released along side "the Book on Flipping Houses" - you may want to check those out here - they are both excellent.

The survey was released before the stock market opened.Is this supply and demand driven, or is it goverment intervention?

I don't know if USAA will do it, but I've had $10,000 escrowed at closing and not released until I made the repairs and had it inspected.