VA Second-Tier Loan - Any Successful Borrowers?

[Nate D.]

Hello friends! Looking for any process vignettes, tips, or suggestions for finding a helpful lender to successfully obtain a second-tier VA Loan in the Northern Virginia area. I've perused the internet on this topic quite a bit and know, in theory, I should be able to obtain one. My purchase will be over the $144,000 minimum for a second VA loan and under the Fairfax County, VA maximum of $625,000, which is higher than the standard $417,000. This is where I will most likely purchase my next property. Although I don't have a COE to tell me how much of my entitlement was used on the first purchase.

Background: I have a current first VA loan in Georgia (SFH~$135,000). It was my primary residence until I moved. Its been a rental since 2012. I am currently overseas and will likely relocate to the northern Virginia area this summer (2017) where I hope to buy a primary residence (likely another SFH) with an investor's mindset to live in for 2-3 years before having to move again and convert to a rental. I hope to approach it as the investment property it will ultimately become even though I will be living in it while I am there, which will hopefully give me good cash flow/equity when I leave and it becomes a rental.

Your thoughts/questions?

Thanks!