Some of the thoughts are not practical - but lead to a certain way of thinking, of questioning things, of not necessarily accepting conventional wisdom or "the way things are".I often hear that "you cannot benefit from your IRA, nor can you benefit it". 

A good lawyer will not charge very much for that and will even transfer it properly for you.

I actually under charged them for rent but it came out to where we split PITI and bills 3 ways and I still gained all the equity and tax benefits of home ownership.

You can always do a low down payment conventional loan, and do a lump sum recast later on to bring down your payment later if you want.

@David SmithYou’re not able to refinance your current VA loan into a conventional and free up the VA Loan again?

In addition, I spoke with my lender and I can qualify for an additional $225-$250K conventional loan for a “second home” because I didn’t borrow against my entire income to purchase my primary residence.

Everybody and every firm will charge what they charge and make that determination for themselves.

If it is not a profit center for you that has no risks it is not something you want to be involved with.No way you want to be dragged in any child porn charges etc.

Origination Charges = $2186.88B.

I've never worked with private lenders, having always gotten either a conventional mortgage or paid cash and gotten a first-place HELOC down the road.