That currently is my plan, I have been trying to figure out though if I am planning on putting some money down, to keep the mortgage payment more reasonable, is using the VA loan still beneficial?

Screen properly.

You'll end up paying a portion of the mortgage out of pocket. 

During the COVID-19 pandemic, these areas benefited from the desire of more living space and unusually low mortgage rates.

So if you can hold off and continue to pay that mortgage down, it will make the refinance even sweeter!  

Also, make sure the proper type of insurance is in place.

This way you can live there while your tenants help pay your mortgage and the goal is to be able to move out and once you move out you either break even or cash flow.

For those of you that work WITH private lending brokers, do you have tips on how to evaluate mortgage brokers? 

Mortgage is 4000. 

Mortgage company may require the appraisal but what may happen is that you would have to fund 20% of appraised value plus the difference between the appraised value and sale price.