Early 20s Military First-Time Home Buyer- Need Help!

[Ashley Perez]

Hello, this is my first post on here ever. I am very excited to have come across this forum.

I am 24 years old, I am in the military and graduated college this past May. Initially, I was going to wait until next year until I had a larger amount of savings to buy a property, but I qualify for the VA loan now. I live and work in New Jersey and I am looking to stay in NJ for the next 3 years or so. I feel like I have many options, but unsure where to start.

My short- term goals (next 3- 5 years) are to own various MFH (duplex or so) and SFH but expand to PA since property taxes are very high in NJ and tenant laws. I am looking to only have one MFH in Jersey which would be the owner-occupant since my job is here and the rest in PA (or is there a better course of action?).

Here is my scenario: I commissioned as an officer back in May and I am eligible for the USAA Career Starter Loan as well.

Loan amount: $25,000

Interest rate: 2.99 %

Term: 60 months

Monthly payment: $449.11

So having the VA loan and this career starter loan I am looking to see what would be the best option for me to take. VA loan calculator says I can qualify for up to $300,000 (not sure how accurate this is). From the research that I have done this is what I have gathered my options to be:

**I live back home now and I am planning on moving in after BOLC - around next December. 

Option 1: Buying a cheaper MFH (2 or 3 units) owner-occupant and using the career starter loan to renovate. Live in one unit and rent out the other(s).

Option 2: Buying a cheaper MFH (2 or 3 units) owner-occupant but using the VA Renovation loan? Live in one unit and rent out the other(s).

Option 3: Buying fully tenant-occupied MFH and moving in next December or a year after buying.  My understanding is VA loan only requires 2 months' statements as proof of address. 

Option 4: Buying a cheaper SFH or MHF and using the career starter loan to fix and flip (don' think VA rehab loan can be used to fix and flip) 

Option 5: Traditional house hack- buy a MFH owner-occupant, move-in ready.

So I don't know what I don't know - if that makes sense. Looking at this, and since I can wait some time until I move in, option 3 seems like the best one. I wanted to post this on here since I am extremely new and most likely missing out on a lot of information that I may not know. The career starter loan seems like a great resource and wanted to see the best way to utilize it- if it even benefits me to use it.

What would you suggest is the best course of action given my situation?