Deal analysis for VA loan house hack

[David Cha]

Hey all, 

Question about using the VA loan to house hack. This will be my first purchase and i've just been watching as many youtube vids as possible and formulating a strategy. My plan is to purchase a duplex very close to where I work in Philadelphia and live in one unit while renting out the others. I plan on putting down zero with the VA loan and living in the unit for at least 5 years. I'm having some trouble figuring out if this is a good deal using the four square method because I will be living there for a few years and during that time, my plan is to save up as much cash as possible and either do a cash-in refinance for more cash flow or buy another property to live in and rent out my unit. Does this sound like a good idea? Any advice would really be appreciated.

Here is are examples of properties I was considering. How would you analyze the cash flow? What strategy would you use after living there for 5 years? How do you account for appreciation in the analysis?

https://www.redfin.com/PA/Philadelphia/779-N-27th-St-19130/home/38388201



https://www.redfin.com/PA/Philadelphia/5102-Larchwood-Ave-19143/home/85646781