I am In the LA area and I bought a 4 unit in 2015 in the inland empire in Southern California  and currently it has about 300 K of equity in it.  

Build your empire!

Based on what you're describing, I would assume you have an empire or real estate holdings with significant liability issues, and you already have significant insurance coverage.

It's located in the Inland Empire of California. 

We haven't had much luck and I totally understand the landlord's point of view but these young ladies really need a home asap (Inland Empire in California).

With the benefit of utilizing the VA Loan because of my service in the military, how should I go about starting our real estate flipping empire, but also moving into our long term home?

@Ondrej BrownCongratulations the Empire begins!

As a baseline, there is the empirically quasi-validated 4% rule that provides, roughly, that your asset (invested in a diversified mix of stock and bonds) can be depended on to provide 30 years of income if you withdraw 4% + an inflation factor. 

Beaches, San Diego, LA etc yes but not Inland Empire and Desert towns.

Hi Emily, I am a broker that works primarily the Inland Empire and parts of eastern LA County.