Certainly cheaper to just assign, but depending on the transparency with the seller and wholesaler, they run the risk of losing the deal at closing if someone walked away. 

However, if you are worried about being sued, you should use the best level of protection that you can afford.Your state laws: The laws governing asset protection vary from state to state.

Loan rates vary but typically around 5-6%. 

The whole point of RE varies for everybody individually. 

@Karan AnandIt would depend on the what you can rent the house for in San Jose when you are traveling abroad. 

Just make sure you know the rules for loans with a non-occupant coborrower, as depending on the relation (whether they are a blood relative or not) and the type of loan you plan to use, there can be additional requirements for LTV and DTI.

The degree of how much will vary from company to company, but it'll be a cliff-like change in their financials to operate under this cost of capital. 

Depending on what resort you are in.

I have plenty of entitlement left on my VA loan for a second house, but don't wish to relocate and haven't grown my family since I bought the first house (I'm single, no dependents).

@Dave Foster is an exceptional QI and it would depend what market you will exchange in to to find a lender that is solid.