Active duty military moving in 1.5yrs. Should I buy now or wait?

[Josh Edelman]

It is February 2019 and I am deploying in July for six months. I will then be moving to a new base in May of 2020.

So I have 6 months in South Carolina (where I am looking to buy), then deploy for 6 months, then come back for 6 months and then move.

I want to house-hack and rent it out when I move, but I am stuck. Being a new, younger investor, should I:

1) buy now before I deploy?

2) buy after my deployment (having saved up for a large down payment)?

3) buy once I move to a new location so I have more time and stability in that house?

Looking at a multi-family or SFH. I plan to use VA or conventional loan.

Thanks a lot!

- Josh