BRRR newbie questions

[Ramon Chavez]

Hello all, 

Im in the process of selling my first place in California. Never thought I would sell it but market is hot right now and would like to scale up now that I live in Texas  for the next 3 years(Military). 

i would like to use my va loan on my personal home do sort of a live in flip during my time here but also like to do a brrr on a rental property. 

The questions I have with this is how long after renovations do you typically wait to refinance? Right after?

Also if I don't have a hard money lender is it necessary to refinance? 

my second thought would be to buy 3 sell 2 keep one strategy (one home would be lived in using a va loan ) coach Carson spoke about in retire early with real estate book. And try to own 1 of those properties out right when my time is done here in Texas. 

Interested in which strategy the community would choose and why? 

THANK you all in advance,