People with bad credit are penalized by the availability, amount, and cost of capital.

However, in this scenario, the investors want to increase their wealth by a significant enough amount in order to “prove” the process works.

For example, some lenders require 12 month occupancy instead of 6.What you could do is you and your wife buy a home, occupy it jointly for the required amount of time, and then move into another home with her VA loan. 

Please click on the links, give them a read, and share your thoughts in the comments.First is a post that I feel will help not get overwhelmed with the amount of info that is here on BP:https://www.biggerpockets.com/blogs/5868/52761-the-simple-guide-to-getting-started-on-bp The second is a post that will help get you focused with your real estate investing goals:https://www.biggerpockets.com/blogs/5868/52743-im-new-to-bp-any-advice-would-be-appriciatedThe last one is a post that will help you choose an “investor friendly” real estate agent.

There is a budget amount that may be a little tricky to determine but in the long run a house that has reasonable and somewhat "neutral" updates for the area is going to sell for more.

He definitely will not want to pay a double rent amount than what he would pay if he moved somewhere else.

@Kevin Polite Thank you Kevin, I needed that :-)     ( I'm going to list 2 houses in 30032 in the next 2 weeks... ) Yes, I'm seeing a lot of price drops in 30032 but honestly I think some investors went overboard with the base price they paid for their homes and the amounts they are asking for the rehabbed houses.

It may do nothing if people turn them into long term rentals.If a huge amount of houses were dropped on the market all at the same time, then yes it could move the needle.

@Troy HebertAll very VALID questions/ concerns that you pose.I will start by saying that RE as an investment has created the most amount of wealth out of any asset class.

Terms are important, lot rent amounts are important, utility expenses, tax, etc.