No doubt buying the first property can seem very scary but ideally, you are working with a realtor and lender who owns STRs.

Assuming you purchased in your IRA for cash as most do, then there's nothing to deduct or depreciate because the income is non-taxable inside the IRA already.

That way the lender has an idea what it is you are doing and cost.

If you go fully custom, it will be higher.As for using land as collateral for a construction loan, it’s definitely possible, but lenders usually want to see a decent percentage of equity in the land.

Also keep in mind that many of these vacation locations have began changing enforcement and regulations for STRs so make sure to research a lot about pending legal actions and public sentiment of STRs in any market you want to enter and formulate several exit strategies to protect yourself in case there is a shift in the market there.

Folks say use a local lender.

The allocation was non pro-rata.   

@Jerome Boudreaux what lenders probably won't tell you right now is the BIGGEST benefit of your VA loan is an assumption! 

Here's what I would do:Option 1- Talk to the lender to make sure that the buyer is strong.

The Role of Mortgage Brokers in Real Estate FinancingMortgage brokers act as intermediaries between you and lenders, streamlining the loan process while finding the best deals for your unique situation.