If you talked to an attorney, there's likely some legal gray area or legal precedent somewhere if you really wanted to be a pain, so releasing of EMD always has to have full acknowledgment by all parties before it gets wired anywhere.   

It pains me to know that it is still probably a ways down the line before I actually begin making offers and fixing up houses, because I would love to be in this process now.

@Christopher Valerio  As an ex-LIer, I feel your pain.

@Justin Campbell  administrators do not allow solicitations on these forums.

It is a horribly painful process with all the paperwork, but definitely worth it as a way to get your first deal.

If you don’t pcs you must show how you out-grew your house. the easy way is getting married or having a child but you may have to make a case if you stay single and still want to move out.Now if you refinance out of your va as you suggested you will not have to worry about these rules however it maybe more painful than you think to refinance out of a va as the percentage may rise significantly for a conventional on top of the National average probably going up by the time you refi.disclaimer- my phone is struggling on grammar corrections and capitalization so forgive the unprofessional view of this post.

It adds some more administrative work (30 minutes every three months) but we find it's worth it.

I have a tenant that pays on the 5th and one that pays the second paycheck of the month (learn thru others) and it is a pain in the butt to get that money sometimes.

I think it is a lot more effort and pain, but you need to start somewhere. 

If you don't know what to ask an investor it is painfully clear you are trying to solve steps that are way ahead yet.Ask yourself this.What do you need to become successful?