Are you thinking of using VA loan to save on downpayment? Yes, you can use it for multi, as long as it will be owner-occupied, but most vets do not realize how expensive VA loans can be. For starters, you are hit with 3.75 or higher funding fee, and there is a requirement of setting aside months worth of escrow prior to closing, which when you take all into account, may be close to an FHA downpayment of only 3.5%. With FHA or conventional you can also take advantage of a number of programs such as dreamhouse from US bank which will reduce your dp to less than 3.5 and your loan costs overall significantly. Go talk to not one, but multiple lenders, and make sure that YOU ask about all the costs involved, lenders are typically not very forthcoming about that until you are "hooked".
