@Amanda Roselli congratulations on your new home. 

The interest paid on a HELOC may be deductible if you used the funds to "buy, build, or substantially improve" the first home. 

For FHA, you typically have to occupy the home, at least initially.

We have solid tenants in our LTR so we are looking at buying more homes to do as STR/MTR hybrid and looking to learn more about how to use our investments and money more wisely ie BRRRR, etc.

When she left a discussion followed and no one could believe she was reporting her landlord who had made so many improvements to her residence.

Did you do any improvements that increased the value?

You may be ok with 77-82 degrees inside your home, but I have my air at 74 when i’m home.

Comps in our market support the interest for this type of home.

I have the VA home loan benefit right now and I am not sure if putting money down on the VA home loan would a smart move.

It's difficult navigating the home purchase process in general, but a lot of more difficult buying something with costly surprises you didn't plan for.