I currently have a mortgage and HELOC. as well as 70K debt. 

Another step is to ensure any contract you're considering includes "assignment is prohibited" language.

If lenders cannot collect the shortage this is allowed as your debt was eliminated.

He is very familiar with the intricacies of VA loans and working with veterans on various types of properties, including investment properties.

We've conducted thorough due diligence, including appraisals and inspections on every property.

Therefore, I understand that you would need to include the cleaning fees in your expenses.  

If I had given them a loan with payments, it affects the debt to income ratio.

That includes the architects, structural and MEP engineers fees as well as the city permit.

The end result is 2 units added to your portfolio however you are now also exposed to the appreciation of the rental property at a 1 to 5 leverage.Of course that is assuming the property can also cash flow and service the debt of the new mortgage. 

Almost everyone here on BP will tell you that they wish they had started earlier, myself included.