If you choose to buy here, pay very close attention to zoning, and run your BRRRR numbers conservatively.

@Nicholas Halterman to answer your question, is it worth putting money down on a VA loan, the short answer is...it depends.The answer differs whether or not you are just buying 1 home, or planning to house hack.

You do not need to have a ton of cash in fact you could buy a home with little to no money down.

Within the next 2-3 years I plan on buying my first home. 

We're selling a duplex we own and plan on buying a house that also operates as a business.

I'm not entirely sold on the idea of note investing over buying and holding rental properties. 

But the better answer is, don't buy a house if the only way you can cover the nut is to rent out a room.

That said, I buy in cash and then renovate appropriately for the area.

So, if in the future your actions cause an HOA to take legal action you lender will likely be notified and call the note Due on Salewhen they find out about the title transfer.If you use the property for a rental, abide by the rental percentage allowed and don't let your tenant violate the CCRs, usually on parking and number of cars.I buy in HOAs using subject to and wraps and that is what I teach my students to do, allowing for the possibility of the lender being notified.

If you do not own a primary I would suggest buying a primary and getting a 2-4 unit to start off with a multi door cash flow.If you buy a primary you do not need a PML you can get 100% financing under a few programs or a DPA.