Secondly, you can use the VA loan with the intent to occupy it, but then if you PCS, or deploy, and have to move out, no harm no foul.

Adjust rents to pay the tax man in a downturn and it's out of harms way. 

Wa state also has legislation harming landlords.

The bill, while intended to provide further relief to the American families and businesses harmed by COVID-19, presents both positives and negatives for the apartment industry.Here is the summary of the bill and its impact to Multifamily by NAA - National Apartment Association - https://www.naahq.org/news-publications/what-you-need-know-about-heroes-actOne big concerning bullet point is 12 months of eviction moratorium.

Debt is a loaded gun and can do serious harm for those who do not know what they are doing. 

But he does keep you out of harms way.

You will likely have the most luck with the local credit unions, and smaller regionals versus the large, national banks, but no harm in trying them all.They will both underwrite the asset, as well as you. 

Or once I add up the closing cost etc- I will have no benefits.In hindsight I shouldn’t have paid off the mortgage and used it for other investments but it’s done and now I like the idea of my home being out of harms way.

As for been licensed, there are 2 camps; 1 say its good Idea and the 2nd doesn't think its matter...One things is for sure its extra education so cant harm.... and you get access to the MLS. , you can search the BP Blog for this topic.

No harm in asking.