All Forum Posts by: Ryan Jackson

One podcast wouldn't be enough. How about a free course for active duty and veterans, similar to the newbie one that already exists? As everyone has mentioned there are numerous topics that should be included. I agree that there is plenty out there on the VA loan already, traffic would cut down on that if people weren't to lazy to search this site or just Google it! Heck BP may be able to get a tax break or grant for it! (I will only take a simple 10% fee if that idea works.)

My biggest mistake when I bought a house with the VA was buying a house for my family to live in at the time and not a house for my family's future. 5/2.5/2600 sq ft instead of 3/2 1800ish sq ft. My other mistake was not buying a 3/2 or multi-unit at every duty station INCONUS. (Personal opinion, some may disagree with this.)

I have also thought the same. A solid podcast on using VA loans for investing might do a lot of good as well.

@Christopher D.@Chance Cooper The new retirement will require contributions and some newer members will have the option to switch. Anyone currently on active duty is not required to contribute to TSP. If you have a superior telling you that go ask the JAG or command financial specialist. At first glance I would probably switch if I was eligible.

@William Allen that is some great info! Do you know if you could lend to yourself from your IRA similar to the TSP? I never thought about doing the lending route until the IRA was built up for larger investments. May be worth it to loan a down payment to yourself and then pay yourself back at say a 10% interest rate. It would allow you to infuse more money into the IRA. That seems too easy and there is probably some regulation preventing it. Do you know a good source to learn about self directed IRAs other than searching these forums?

If you rely on the TSP you will have savings to draw on in retirement but it will not make you financially independent, at least not for my personal goals. I know people who have tried to use TSP funds for real estate purchases and it doesn't always work because someone else is still deciding what you can do with your money. Personally I would continue to save with the ROTH IRA and invest the rest in smart tangible real estate deals. Make sure the numbers support property management. I also know people who have bought a 3/2 every PCS in CONUS and their rental income is now larger thane their military pay. I plan on continuing to invest in my USAA ROTH IRA until it is large enough to move to a self directed IRA and purchase property with. I still have to research if there is a ROTH version. Imagine having several properties in a ROTH producing income that isn't taxable! Maybe it turns out to be too good to be true.

Is this the place on Avati Dr?

I will be there +1

What if you put the panels on a separate meter so the house didn't actually draw from the panels?

@Darrel Maxam eventually you will have to get creative as you will run out of eligibility. You will have a tough time forcing equity with a VA Loan as they are tough on inspections and property conditions. It seems that you are looking for an "easy" way to make it big and the VA loan will get you started however, I believe it will only be useful for the first couple of properties. I have used a VA loan for my primary residence and done research on it but I am by no means an expert on this so keep learning as I am.

@Tiffany Noble I am mil-to-mil and you don't get a break allowing you to not be a primary resident just so you can use your benefits. It does allow you to have two benefits that are up to $417k each, so $834k total. Another thing to keep in mind is that you may want to only have on person on each mortgage as to allow you to have more available to the household. 4 per person for 8 total vice just 4.