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Updated about 4 years ago on . Most recent reply

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1
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4
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Manriki Gagnon
4
Votes |
1
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New Member Introduction/First time home buyer

Manriki Gagnon
Posted

Hello BP! This is my first post, however I have been lurking around for a while. I don't have any real estate properties (my school doesn't actually allow us to own property while we're here) however I've been doing a lot of research, reading books, and listening to as many BP podcasts as I can (450+ is a lot to catchup on). I've been researching different markets in Washington DC/Northern Virginia and determined that I want to invest in the Woodbridge, VA area.

I would like to stay under $300k, so I am looking for Townhouse style condos and small single family homes. I am preferably looking for a place with a basement because I want to house-hack and live in the basement while renting the top floors out to a tenant(s) to cover a majority, if not all the mortgage. I am okay with no cash flow in the first year while because I'm going to be living in part of the house, however after I move out I would like to be cash flowing.

I am planning on using a VA Loan to finance the purchase with no down payment, so the mortgage payment will be kind of expensive. Since I am a first time home-buyer, I am also planning on using the Virginia Housing grant to pay for part of the closing costs.

I have a few questions regarding my current plan. 

How hard is it to find a tenant that would be willing to rent out the top half of a property when I am house hacking the basement? What are people's experiences with renting out rooms to multiple tenants? Is it worth looking for duplexes or triplexes?

If I am breaking even for the first year of owning a rental property, would I be able to increase the rent on the current tenant to include the cost of the new opened area of the house, or would it be better to find a new tenant? I don't want this to come across as unethical, I would make sure the tenant understood what I am trying to do before they signed a rental agreement. 

Other than the no/low down payment and lack of PMI, are there any other benefits to the VA loan versus conventional loans? Are there any drawbacks?

Thanks for all the help, I am excited to be part of the BP community and start my real estate journey!

Most Popular Reply

User Stats

96
Posts
58
Votes
Brian Beck
  • Flipper/Rehabber
  • Fredericksburg, Va
58
Votes |
96
Posts
Brian Beck
  • Flipper/Rehabber
  • Fredericksburg, Va
Replied

Hi @Manriki Gagnon

I grew up in the Woodbridge area and still live nearby in Fredericksburg, but have lots of friends/family there, if you have any questions about any specific neighborhoods I'd be more than happy to help. I am not aware of any duplex/triplex style houses in Woodbridge, they are kind or a rarity in NoVa in general. At your price point you'll likely be looking in the Dale City (22193) or Rt 1 (22191) areas. These will generally have a few options at about the $300K mark, every now and again their is a neighborhood in Lake Ridge (22192) that will have a a sub-$300K option (expensive HOA though). Best of luck!!

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