I intend to put in the work and continue to network well with other investors. 

I agree with @Owen D. that Facebook was not intended for direct communication with strangers to solicit business, but does present a way to communicate.

I would refi out of VA loan like you are doing and then  purchase using the VA loan since  you intend to owner occupy your next property.

I've re-positioned more debt and had more liquidity events already this year than planned, simply because I've rolled with opportunities as they have presented themselves.  

I live in Arizona, so it's the same thing.  115 degree summers, bleh.I think it's pretty dependent on where you live and what opportunities present themselves.  

Since we are looking to owner-occupy, we believe this would be a great opportunity to leverage 3.5% down payment to get our start into investing.  

I already have a few questions lined up of my own that I'm curious about, but I wanted to open up this opportunity to all of you to see if any of you had questions you might want to ask this builder as well!

Hello Teresa,Firstly if you have the opportunity to start now do it immediately.

Granted, these lots are in some of the rougher areas of the city but I was curious if anyone has dealt with a similar scenario in the past and what sort of opportunity they saw and/or results achieved.http://chicagoist.com/2017/09/13/the_city_will_sel... 

I will reach out to you with any opportunities they give me.