One fun fact to consider is that your first use of the VA loan does not come with the lending cap so if you did want to try and get a 4 unit on that first purchase you may be able to shoot a bit higher if you can qualify for the loan, which in VB may be your only avenue to multifamily without going toward the Norfolk area.

I've never done this when applying for a new card BUT I've found this department to be generally helpful and you may be able to say - Hey Amex, I qualify for this offer for a new card with Discover, I'm a loyal Amex card holder, is there any kind of retention offer you can make me that would come close to this Discover offer.

There's always a shortage of deals in the market, specially now.Good news is that once you gain some traction, you'll be able to buy better lists, a power dialer and even hire a VA to help you find qualified seller leads (I run a call center for Real Estate).

It depends on what your debt-to-income ratio is and what you can qualify for.

If you live there 2 of the last 5 years then you’ll qualify for the homeowners exemption on the capital gains but you’ll still have to pay depreciation recapture. 

Also the rental income of the units will allow you all to qualify for a higher loan amount.Best,Jamael RomansUnited Mortgage Corp LenderWoodbury NY

This can be a viable option for those who might not qualify for traditional financing methods.

I don't have exact floor plans, so I'm not sure if it would qualify for the 51% apartment sq. ft. necessary for a mixed use dscr loan. 

If you have any questions regarding the real estate purchase (negotiation) process, the loans you might be qualified for (low downpayment or low interest rate options), or the insurance you may need for the purchase I can answer any of your questions.

If you do qualify you would basically be refinancing your current Heloc and use the new Heloc to pay it off the original Heloc.