I'm definitely leaning more towards the VA option, I just want to see if any of you have good reasons for or against either option.Ryan Conventional pricing is around mid 4's to higher 4's while VA pricing in the lower 4.00's but if you price the VA to be on "par," with conventional meaning the VA loan with no VAFF (VA funding fee 2.15 - 3.30%) then you'd have a similar rate to the conventional loan apples to apples pricing wise.The one advantage you had mentioned is that the scenario above wouldnt be  apples to apples when it comes to down payment because the VA loan would have 0% down while the conventional loan you could have as low as 3-5% down (with PMI paid monthly or within rate or split premium).Also, you only have VA entitlement (if not already tied up else where) for usually one property or home so by using conventional you can keep an ace in the back pocket or conversely you could do a low down conventional low with no monthly MI and keep the VA in the back pocket for emergencies or future planning (in case you plan to move out to get another primary shortly after 1 year again).VA loan also has a lot of YSP or yield spread premium so you can do no down and no closing cost pretty easily or use the credits towards paying off the VAFF or taxes/interest/insurance etc while the conventional loan does not nearly have as much YSP or lender credit to offer so your ability to strategically plan with your rate is not as readily available as VA.Generally, I'd say VA all the way 90% of the time but there are reasons to keep it available.

Please realize that I am not saying your agent will find you a deal in three days...that's foolish especially in an uber competitive market where we are frequently seeing multiple offer situations that inflate strategically priced homes.

I'm just trying to strategically learn and act to achieve my goals without getting caught in analysis paralysis

When you look at property you will see the difference from strategic picture taken to actual investment potential.

At a time when the governing political party is destined to dial back health care access in the name of liberty, you want to be strategic about that.

I feel, for now, that I'm a bit to early to discuss it in depth with them as I would come across as a novice looking for funding and guidance rather than a strategic partnership when I'm more prepared.

I almost exclusively work with real estate folks with strategic financial planning and most people use either cash, IRA. or cash value from an insurance policy.

I always encourage investors to know *exactly* what they want and how they want their money working for them so they can be strategic and specific in their investing criteria. 

A person who had previously asked where I invested (and me stupidly telling him my strategic investments/area) before contacted me the same day to tell me they bought that place and was planning to use what I told him to invest in that area.

Strategically I would try for locations very close to new development so you get the full effect of their coat tails.