Your VA loan is a powerful too, the question is do you want to keep a property and do you want to purchase another primary residence if the answer to both is yes then you would probably want to pay down your loan.

I am looking to build a portfolio of single and multifamily homes surrounding Dallas but with the unfortunate timing of being let go before doing my first deal, I will have trouble getting a traditional bank loan. 

Before you go the traditional way and get a duplex, decide for yourself whether you want to be an active or passive investor?!

I know you said conventional loan but is this primary residence purchase? 

It's been her primary residence for more than two of the last five years, but it has also been an investment property for the last year and a half while she's been stationed overseas.

You shouldn't have to go far for deals, though, if you're in a primary or secondary market.You can now build a financial model around this operating projection.Solve for pricing.I heard a great offer strategy on a recent BP podcast - a tiered offer.

Sounds like the properties would fit traditional financing.  

My questions are:ABOUT 1013 exchange : I understand that I have to exchange a two family for a two family, but if I buy a two family and make one of the apartments my primary residence, will I still have to pay capital gain taxes if I sell in let's say in 5 years? 

Locking in your profits of your primary residence may sound appealing. 

Do anyone in Texas a process or flowchart to payoff hard money loans (used to purchase rental properties in Dallas Texas) with traditional loans?