His reason was the only thing he knew to do with the proceeds was to loan it back out at 12%, and he would be "behind" where he is now in cashflow.His proceeds would have given him options up to and including PE, but he is a simple man and in his case holding was the option for now. 

It will also allow you to pull some cash out if you have the equity and for tax purposes.You can have two VA loans at the same time but having two means that the second home may not qualify for 100%. 

.), 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. 

Yes, you could use your VA loan.

It could be some sort of skill set for renovations, design for furnished rentals, specific market knowledge, owner occupied loan products for a house hack, etc. 

@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.

If you include the costs to build in a purchase of the primary structure, then you can typically roll that into the final loan product.

@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?

Have you looked into DSCR loans?