You might benefit from house hacking vs. doing full STR while you are away.

I am interested in searching for such units within wake county is there any way we can put together a meeting to discuss the overall cost of such an investment considering my VA benefits?

So the answer is somewhere in between 1 day and 2 years depending on how you can demonstrate your intent.I doubt if there would be much of a benefit If you're actually living there but pretending to rent to a family member. 

There’s no benefit to 2 or 3 year leases as a landlord.

It will familiarize you with the basic terminology and benefits.

What strategies are investors and realtors using to maximize the benefits of cash-out refinancing?

They may provide for a better interest rate than other available forms of credit, and may provide a tax benefit to the borrower.However, borrowers should keep in mind that home equity loans carry some disadvantages.Before you take out a home equity loan, consider the following:Risk of Foreclosure: Your home is probably your most valuable asset.

Cash flow, appreciation, tax benefits.

And I feel the ideal portfolio can benefit from the diversification of both.I feel directly owned properties are great because they give me maximum control and the ability to tweak them exactly how I want.

The main issue is, since I'm using VA benefits to purchase these properties, I have to live in them, and because of this, they have to meet a threshold of what my family is willing to accept.