I started 23 years ago and bought my first property with 3.5% down using an FHA loan.

There are some that are great for sure, but I have currently heard terrible stories about people putting money in the last 2-3 years and losing it all, capital calls and losing the whole deal due to bad bridge loans (some coming do very soon). 

There are 10% SBA loans to purchase businesses.

It's all fun and games until your bank freezes and converts your line for any number of reasons that are in the loan agreement.

I never make a loan, no matter the equity position, that the past actions of the borrowers lead me to wonder if they will be likely to pay me back. 

So I'm strongly considering adding a handful of these to my buy & hold portfolio.I understand that there's no "risk-free" method to acquiring these properties subto, but have any of you had success over the long-term acquiring properties with VA loans attached?

I’ve also taken out short term loans (1-5 years) to use as my 25% down payments.

They are bought either with SHORT term high interest (hard money) type loans or purchased in cash.

Has anyone used bridge loans for this type of strategy or is there any other loans that anyone would recommend other than HELOC?

My guess is if you can make the interest rates work, there will be dozens of these available in about 2-3 years when the loans start maturing.Good luck and best wishes.