From the reads that I've seen online regarding using the VA loan for a multi-family, they usually want to see a history of being a landlord if you are buying larger than a duplex. 

I am looking at my first "large" real estate investment.

The larger the unit the lower $/SF.

Doesn't need to be anything fancy.You could even give them a separate document that you staple to their lease that has this information in a larger font.Also you will have an idea if they could qualify since you will have their background check and credit score.

Top is slightly larger than the old ones, but was able to shorten it.

Many clients are able to do larger flips/refi's from the added short term appreciation vs just the equity made through value add. 

My income is just much larger than my expenses (minimum payments on cc anyways)

This would likely help if the lots are significantly larger/smaller than one another because a larger lot doesn't necessarily mean a higher cost and vice versa. 

They got no choice but to extend. 

That said if it gives me more freedom to make the right career choices or it allows me to act on investment opportunities in the next couple years, maybe it will have been worthing eating additional expenses for the first several months.