Don't look for lowest rate, look for lowest cost on fees as you will either refinance out of that loan or sell- the prepay will hit you on the back of the head like a cinderblock wall.

I am under contract on a property that looks like it will not close.When I got the 3 fireplaces inspected, it was only a few hundred dollars extra to chimney sweep them at the time of inspection so we paid to get them swept. 

I am reading a bunch of real estate investing books , talking to realtors & loan officers, and trying to educate myself best I can.I'm also looking to expand my network within the real estate investing community, and I believe this is a great opportunity to connect.

Since you’ll be saving your own living expenses by living in one of the units as required by the VA (to the best of my knowledge.) pretend you are paying rent and it should make your numbers look much better. 

Look it up, again, straight from trading desk and I saw it in print. 

Of course there are nuances and you have to have appropriate lot sizes, but worth looking into.

Are you looking into certain investment strategies to begin or certain markets? 

@Zack Whiting how are you looking to scale?

My girlfriend and I have been looking at properties over the last couple of months due to life situations changing and having a decent chunk of change saved for a down payment.

Why not look at things like triple net or industrial?