@Christian Edward KrogThank you for your service and congratulations on being wise enough early on to plan ahead!

As for cash reserves, that can vary based on the age of the property, condition, location, etc...but I've always hear $10,000 per property (scales down per unit if you buy multiple) is a decent starting assumption.Flipping is active income (not bad for building wealth in the short term), buy/hold is more passive, and cash flow is great (playing the long game)...military installations often come with a decent amount of buy/hold opportunities due to the housing allowance service members receive.lower end is okay...if the neighborhood is.

Hello Kevin,First I want to say thank you for you and your wife's service.

@Rinee John de Leon with all the good info.On the flip side, I generally don't suggest using web referral services such as Angie's List, CraftJack, or HomeAdvisor.

You don't include your debt service when calculating cap rate. 

Customer service is spotty, at best and dependent on which office/consultant you're working with. 

In the nicer places, we use Corian or solid surface, whereas the mid-level places a cheaper solid service pre-fab such as laminate.

I provide out of state investors one stop shop real estate services. :)

@Nasson RaymondI cannot speak directly to the services of Advanta, and must disclose that I am a competitor offering a different kind of service in the self-directed plan space.Two key things come to mind:1) Advanta is a 3rd party administrator for IRA accounts. 

Even landlords do not need to accept any service or ESA animal if it will be an "undue burden".