Currently I hold a full time job as an independent contractor working in supplemental insurance, and I have always wanted to create a stream of income from rentals and other creative investing on the side.

I'm on BiggerPockets to learn from people that have already taken part in these types of transactions (and whatever hiccups were involved), and will supplement that information with my own experiences as I move forward.  

I supplement with IKEA in the kitchen.  

Good evening all, Does anyone know of any lenders in the Richmond Virginia area or nationwide lenders that are currently participating in VA rehab/supplemental loan programs?

The Dodd-Frank act passed after the great recession puts a lot of restrictions on what you can do. if you want to do this I highly suggest you read Lonnie Scruggs' book Deals On Wheels (which is a great presentation of the idea, but technically now illegal), as well as the supplement that Lonnie Scruggs and his attorney published a few years ago that specifically addresses seller financing mobile homes in relation to the Dodd-Frank act.

The tenants have been so kind and patient , at 76 the unit heats up pretty okay, but they need more supplemental heat.

If you have access to cash you can use that to supplement the 1031 proceeds to get to the reinvestment target.  

When I house-hacked, way back in the day, I was happy to have supplemental rent from the other unit in my duplexes (I lived in two prior to moving to my now long-term home) that kept my net mortgage cost to something affordable.I worked on the properties while I lived there (a couple-three years in each) and then when I moved out, i was able to (just barely) cover the loan payment, taxes and insurance with the rent from both units.I was out of pocket when I needed to make a repair and paid the garbage and water bills myself for a while (until rents climbed a bit).

I'm seeing more investors take this on completely or as a supplement to their physical driving.

Remember that real estate is a marathon and to supplement your income with larger MF I would at least plan for 18 months of no income before commissions/fees/cashflow starts to kick in.