If you find one who would do this, please let me know.2) No idea, I'm sure a lender in NY would know3) No experience with this but sounds expensive and difficult.

@Joseph ChilcoatBuilding is very difficult, building for your first time is very difficult, building a 4 unit for your first investment property ever is even more difficult.Why not just use your VA loan to buy a 4 unit that needs some light cosmetic work and just learn the rehab process in more gradual steps there instead of risking it on the new build?

@Trent Lee this is such a difficult topic as real estate is always so local.

Pre-foreclosures are difficult and lots of work, IMO.

It's difficult to say where I'm from since I currently live and work remotely from a motorhome :) The views are great but surprisingly, rent is NOT free!

how difficult is it to finance vacant commercial land?  

Ask them to take a Chill Pill, put any bitterness and money issues on the sideline until the dust settles and don't let money cloud their lives.It is very difficult to acquire properties and simple to dump them for pennies on the dollar.

The classes are very straightforward and I didn't think the school or state tests were difficult, although A LOT of people have to take them more than once before passing. 

The mortgage is public record and in your personal name, so anonymity is difficult.

A license can make wholesaling very difficult or impossible in certain circumstances.