You'll need some sort of active income, whether it's wholesale, fix and flip or lending.

It's probably best to go to local Credit Unions and small banks for those than large institutions at the moment.

I am currently going throught the lending process and research some of my top locations.  

@Brandon MorganAbsolutely, and it's ironically what large institutions target (as well as large multifamily). 

We've done gap lends before....it is riskier but there are ways to mitigate risk by working with the right borrower. 

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.

Continue to repeat #1 recommendation every 12 months until you are tired of moving.The ugly truth is that you need some money to start investing in real estate and I strongly recommend you do it with your own money before you start lending money from family and friends.All the best and keep up posted on your progress.

I only found an online one but some one else may give more inputshttps://www.meetup.com/real-estate-wealth-institute-indianap...

Some of the projects were with a local partner as well and then the managing chores were split between us.The lending perspective was stiff in the beginning, as I didn't have any experience at all, also no credit score, and that project was only by myself, so the leverage was low, but I could work on a low-price property to start.Fast forward 5 years, I have built a credit score with 2 credit cards under my ITIN of more than 650, and done 4 properties as experience.

Create LLC have dad lend money to LLC, use this loan as down payment on larger property(s) as your dad’s loan is NOT secured by real estate but by the LLC.3.