If you're going for traditional financing, NO lenders will accept it.For primary purchases, you can get around it by asking family for gift funds, then "gifting" the relative the cash later, so the lender can source the funds.But for investment property loans, cash gifts are not allowed.

An equity cash out approach may be an alternative source for you .

In the past, I've found them to be a good source of information and resources.

Or ways other than driving for dollars, which I'm not above it just good to have multiple lead sources 

He said that the entire purchase price could be deducted from income, thus offsetting capital gains from other (ie, stocks) sources. 

If you're looking for long term $, why does the source matter? 

I am not saying this is impossible... just a very competitive field in an already competitive market.Probate leads, driving for dollars and any other lead source that puts you in direct contact with sellers can be one of the more effective ways to landing a deal.

The key is whether or not your VA benefit a continuing source of income (disability). 

Cons include the two restrictions on amount you can take out (with traditional cash-out, you can do 75% LTV, and upfront outlay doesn't matter), and also that you have to be able to trace back the source of the funds used for purchase as YOUR cash.  

Working through this now, I would say try to start with the end in mind and indentify your critical requirements before picking a tool.