I do have one house hacking client where I sold his condo and then helped him buy a larger townhouse where he can do forced appreciation through rehab (which worked out really well.)I went from a house hacking condo, used a HELOC and then did the FHA 203(k) to a house and built an ADU.Because of the rental restrictions, it might make sense to sell at some point since profits up to $250K is tax free and scale up that way. 

Gee that's odd.

I agree with everyone that two beds in the Master bedroom might feel a bit odd.

I’m about to PCS to San Antonio for a year and was considering buying an investment property to live in while I’m there, then rent out after I leave.My question is this: since we’re restricted in getting fixer uppers with the VA loan (I know there are renovation loans), what are you looking for with the property?

Title underwriters are wired differently and see risk that’s either invisible to us (due process noticing, etc.) or non-existent (odds of an heir born in 1850 objecting to a petition in open court). 

You will have the odd desperate seller like an American who took a mortgage on his US home to buy a property in the Dominican Republic and was counting on the rental income in the Dominican Republic to pay off his mortgage.

Put in the effort, build relationships, prove your value, and improve your odds of finding someone to help launch you on your path.

Find out what the local regulations are and check the local paper if there are any restrictions being proposed for the area. 

tend to believe everyone is motivated by money; people who are lifestyle motivated think everyone is motivated by the least amount of time expended; people who are risk adverse can’t believe other people are willing to “bet” on outcomes even when the odds are clearly in their favor. 80% of the time (IMO) people who make decisions we disagree with are not making stupid, ill informed decisions or being “tricked”; they just have motivation, needs and desires different that our own.  

As someone from Newburyport, I see similar trends in greater Boston and agree that strategic investment is key (espeically with tightening restrictions).