Newbie needs advice-Va loan

[Drew McCrory]

Hello everyone, 

I'm a newbie here on BP and just created my accounty today! I am currently in the military and will be getting my VA home loan benefits in a year when I get back from my deployment. I have a plan in place to buy a 4-plex and live in one of the units for a year and also negotiate closing costs to minimalize my out of pocket investment. However, I am conflicted on whether to invest in a college town where properties are a bit more expensive but will for sure be rented out by students with parents on the line as co lease, or in Toledo where property prices are a bit cheaper but finding tennants may be a bit tougher with more expenses. On the other hand I have a thought that in Toledo the chances of tennants staying longer are greater than in a college town which will lower expenses.. If you could could all give me your great input I would really appreciate it. Once again I have never invested before so any advice will help. Thanks!

[Melissa Barnard]

@Drew McCrory Hey Drew! Do as much research on real estate while you're deployed as you can so you will be prepared to take off one you're back home. Once you get closer to that date, I would contact a couple lenders so you can run your scenario by them and see what your options are for financing! Then you'll have that pre-approval letter and nothing will be holding you back from submitting offers.