Water heater, furnace etc,...For a $30K loan I will try credit union w/o points or fees. 15 year is too long for a loan of this size. 

Also, I would recommend finding a real estate agent that you trust, and begin talking to lenders (banks, mortgage brokers, credit unions, etc.)

What about credit unions, have done anything with one?

Since I will be moving in 2 years, I'm already planning on increasing the value of my primary residence through forced appreciation and hopefully rent it out over what I'm paying monthly for mortgage payments.I'm exploring the idea of using home equity loans and HELOCs to pay for my next house, but I'm interested in hearing what methods other military members have had success with.

You would need to local property near forts and other military hubs, and follow local real estate law.

Tags: Jersey City, Bayonne, Union, Newark, New Jersey, loan, Edison

Then refinance through a different institution or union to draw the equity and pay off the HML.

Thanks all , everything went well. ready for  new project :-)Tags: Hobokon, Newark, union, union city, bayonne, jersey city.

To add to the good information you already received, if you can qualify for a  traditional bank or even credit union loan great, because your rate, fees, and terms will most likely be much better than a hard money loan. 

Unless you're military, then VA would obviously be the way to go.