2 floors done...three to go :  )

If you are then this probably would not be too crazy to get it up and running with some work.

It was a great experience as I learned about the benefits of real estate. 

There is a reason banks don't make loans on stocks.

For those of you who are starting out and want to learn more about real estate depreciation and cost segregation! 

So I just need to make a decision and go with it.

My advice: don’t overthink it—your first house hack is about learning, so pick a strong rental market, ensure solid demand, and lock in a deal that gets you close to break-even or better.

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. 

It might make the most sense to just sell your primary residence and use it as 40% to 50% down payment on your future home. 

I'm in Santa Barbara County which is impossible to make work so I'm forced out of the area.