It sounds like the issue is with the Debt Service Coverage Ratio (DSCR), which lenders often use to determine how much they’re willing to loan.

Yes, you could use your VA loan.

@Richa Wardhan every investor has to find their own answer to your basic question - focus on portfolio growth or paying off what you have.Portfolio Growth leverages your money using loans and tenants paying off these loans.

Be mindful of short-term capital gains tax, as profits from flips held for less than a year are taxed as ordinary income, and frequent flipping may result in self-employment taxes.While profits from flips do not qualify for 1031 exchanges (since flips are considered inventory, not investment properties), you can minimize your tax burden by deducting allowable expenses like renovation costs, loan interest, and holding expenses.If you're considering diversifying into rentals, explore opportunities to benefit from long-term tax advantages such as depreciation and lower long-term capital gains rates.

.), I'd recommend that the residential units fully cash flow the loan as my experience is that mixed use properties are tougher to finance as most lenders tend to prefer one or the other and something in the middle gets more difficult.For example, and granted I don't know anything about the area/neighborhood, I would expect this property (https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/111-NW-Har...) to be easier to finance than the mixed-use property you mentioned. 

There may be requirements to cover the trash service depending on the town.My first commercial loan was 30% down, 20 year term (adjusting after the first 5 years). 

If you do not have your own cash, you are borrowing money from someoneone some how whether its a loan or equity.

@Timothy Parish Yes, you should have take out 401k loan vs what you did.

with an FHA loan How did you add value to the deal?

I would say maybe look into a 203k HOA loan great loans for people our age. you would be able to do a value add and not pay your mortgage until the updates are done up to 1 year.