This could be a lucrative STR location that we are very familiar with and feel comfortable with the location close to our homes.

The VA loan is designed as owner occupy primary residence.

General tips: design for the target demographic and go above and beyond whatever the competition is doing, ie if the competition has a hot tub and a pool, make sure you have a hot tub and a pool AND a game room, etc.

I wouldn't be comfortable telling them they can qualify with this uncertainty.I would tell them they need to speak with a broker to determine their eligibility for future loans.

Although you can get those wrapped into the loan by making an offer with seller closing credit. 6 months of reserves is a very comfortable cushion to have.

I think I submitted my design on 1/2/2020 as soon as I legally could. 

Their coaching is not cheap, but I think the thing that separates them from the one-time seminar gurus is that they offer a series of classes designed to deepen their student's knowledge so that they end up with a well-rounded education, versus what you can get (and retain) out of a single 3-day fact-filled seminar.

My reasoning is because i realized that i want to do something, alongside my design degree, that involves building complexes (mostly commercial buildings) but im not sure with degree would be the best to do this.

Some get materials cheaper than others and some have more of an eye for design than others 

@Zak House, a home warranty doesn't protect "the home" because it isn't designed to.