Its my favorite city in this region and my roots are strong there.

They need to have verified income (you call the boses and trick them into answering what the job / company is to root out friends posing as bosses).  

However, because of more permanent employment and family, my wife and I have decided to put down roots in DC.

I was rooting for you until you said you'd be using your HELOC money for out of state investment. 

Recently we have been floating the idea of purchasing a multi family home as a sole investment and using the VA loan on a foreclosure as our primary residence, as we would like to plant some semi-permanent roots in the area for my wife's occupation.

Based on what I've seen, real estate investing is the best vehicle for building deep rooted wealth.

I'm not rooting for inflation, but at least should have an emotional and financial hedge if it comes to stay. 

We originally started this company as commercial and residential NPL buyers before heading back into our lending and real estate investment roots.

However, I have been reading a lot of articles lately about young people who want to get back to roots and take up farming.

This passage, IMO, is the root of the entire financial crisis.