@Trevor Smith - Did you end up buying the multi in Northeastern?

I am a resident of Dallas, TX, interested in entering the San Antonio market. However, I am unfamiliar with the area. Could anybody provide me with suggestions for promising investment areas or any other advice?

The only insurance any legitimate private lender will ask you to buy is a lender's title policy and fire/hazard insurance (or landlord insurance, or homeowner insurance, etc., as appropriate).

They should pay the full deposit up front and meet all your other requirements before you hand them keys.Do yourself a favor: buy "Every Landlord's Legal Guide" by NOLO.

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.