Take distribution, pay taxes and penalties (you will probably end up losing 40-50% of the amount you pull out) and then personally invest.2.

Your money in the bank is actually losing value due to inflation.

You will lose some showings/interest but that is okay, the ones that stay are the ones you want.  

It appears somebody has gone through the Eddie speed training and is now a certified expert Guru teaching others on how to lose OPM. 

With current inflation rates, you are theoretically losing money the more liquid you are.In the long-term, I highly recommend utilizing your VA loan to snag a 2-4 unit MFH in a metro market.

I would agree with the others above, option 2 looks much better in terms of having more cash out to acquire another property that will give more cashflow than the 100 dollars you "lose" from the refinance. 

As long as you’re cool with losing your friends if you don’t pay them back every single cent you borrow, I guess that’s one way to go.

I have shown her it doesn't lose money so I have a little less to battle. 

I've read how some first deals even had people lose A LOT of money, but they didn't stop and tried with another property.

Today, for the first time, I accepted rental payment in the form of a Disney-Princess-themed personal check.It's gettin' hard out here...