VA Home Loan Leveraged for STR

[Yonathan Cabrera]

I am currently a 19 year old looking to simply gain as much financial education, simultaneously saving money for future investments. 

My biggest one would be leveraging my VA home loan in about 3 years. I want to know if it is possible to use this home loan for STR's since I know STR's (Under Tax Code Section 469) is one of the routes any RE investor can take to reach "Real Estate Professional Status," and so use passive losses from my property to offset active, earned income (My W-2 Job in the future).

Basically, does anyone know if this has ever been done? Using a VA home loan for STR conversion?

Thank You. 

[Michael Baum]

Hey @Yonathan Cabrera, it isn't off the table as this article points out:

https://www.rocketmortgage.com/learn/va-loan-for-investment-...

At your age, I might look into buying a 4 plex and live in one and rent the other 3 as long term rentals.

Essentially you have to occupy the property within 60 days, then you can buy another one after a year, rent the last unit and do it all again.

This is where occupancy requirements for VA loan rental properties come
in. You must occupy the residence within 60 days of closing and live in
it as your primary residence for 12 months before renting out other
units.

Do this several times and you will have 3-4 performing (hopefully) 4 plexs (or tri or duplex) and then you can look at doing STRs.

It would create a great base for you to work towards early retirement.