I could HI Kevin,This transition that you're asking about above is extremely important to transition smoothly and plan for because it will ensure your subsequent VA use for additonal purchases.Once the current property is refinanced with a non VA loan this will free up your entitlement for additional use.The max conv limit in Ventura county Ca is 672,750 and the max loan limits for a high balance loan can go up to 95%.So what this means is theoretically you could refinance up to 672,750 loan amount with an appraisal as low as 708,158 dollars or higher before your loan is subject to jumbo/non conventional guidelines (much tougher to qualify for and has lower LTV's).The VA loan has some key features that other loans dont have:- a trade off of no monthly PMI but the upfront PMI is huge, equivalent to 2.15 - 3.30 Points (borderline hard money points).

In addition, it can be nice to have a lender who "get" the local market.

By paying an additional $2,100 per month on 1 of them, within 5 years, 3 properties are without mortgage, putting $3,000 in my pocket every month AND I've got cash flow on two others that bring the total to $3,900 ($47,500 anual) with BIG tax writeoffs.This represents a $71,000 salary on a net/net basis.

Will you feel better if you get additional few %

Leveraging your expertise, I'd like to understand how you approach the situation I'm about to describe.Long Term Goal: Build RE portfolios using a buy-and-hold strategy by building up 40 units in the next 6 years.Situation: Small family owns their first single-family home which was purchased 2 years ago.Purchase Price: $320,000 (FHA, minimum down)Oustanding Balance: $300,000Appraised Value: $370,000 Mortgage: $1,950Est Rental: $2,300 (no expenses considered)Considerations:The basement may have been finished without permits, professional plumber, or electricianThe yard is large and potentially hard to maintainAn additional $2,000 is needed to prepare for rental or $10,000 in renovations before selling Therefore: What would you do as a starting investor in order to reach the goal stated?

Look for opportunities for additional cash flow.

I don’t think you can either .unfortunatly  After that payment and a few additional ancillary expenses you’d be in the negative for cash flow at 1000 a month in rent .

If I added additional CapEx or Vacancy, it ends up being too conservative and doesn't match up with reality.

Your insured subs don’t necessarily need to add you as an “additional insured” but many people require this to be done, this only applies to liability.  

The two common choices for doing so are the self-directed IRA and the Solo 401k.The Solo 401k requires self-employment activity, but will allow you to take participant loans while the IRA does not.A few other Solo 401k benefits:Compared to an IRA, Solo 401k contributions limits are roughly ten times higher.There is no custodial requirement for the 401k.You don't need the additional expense and administration of an LLC to have checkbook control.There is a built in-Roth component whereas IRAs are either traditional or Roth, not both.A spouse can also participate in the same Solo 401k plan.The Solo 401k has additional tax benefits over an IRA when investing into real estate using leverage.The penalties for prohibited transactions are less severe, though it's best not to utilize this benefit :)With either structure, it's generally recommended that you do not commingle retirement and non-retirement assets.