My first real estate deal —I used my VA loan and ended up house hacking too.

Also, after a year, the mortgage hasn't been paid down by much, especially if it's a 30 year mortgage.The only challenge you may run into is if you purchased it using a low or no money down mortgage option like FHA or VA lending.

For the vast majority of Conventional, FHA, and VA mortgages you are only guaranteeing the lender that you'll live in the property as your primary residence for a minimum of 12 months.

100% VA loan, which allowed me to put money saved towards renovations.How did you add value to the deal?

Property radar subscription may give it to you.. or a GOOD VA could compile in the counties your interested in. then up date it weekly as new private DTS are recorded

It's also unfortunate, that veterans (like you and I) can't do a cash-out refinance using a VA cash-out. 

A lifelong friend and I are motivated to (virtually) meet and connect with those in REI working in the Pittsburgh area.I'm active duty military and living in California with two rental properties (one in Virginia Beach & one in Pittsburgh) and my close friend owns a single family in Baltimore.  

I have 3 of those going right now in Loudoun county VA just outside of WA DC my deal with that developer is 100% return per annum..

If you are trying to come up with a way to finagle the occupancy requirements while using an amazing loan (that you earned based on your service) like a VA, I would say you are starting off on the wrong foot.

I moved to North Virginia from NYC and saved my money.