Posted on Feb 29, 2016
SPC(P) Information Security (Is) Analyst
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I quoted Investment Property because this won't be a buy and flip. Where as, I buy, work on, rent out rooms and sell in 5 years. Should I use the VA loan on this or save for my "dream home"
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Responses: 4
LTC Yinon Weiss
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If you plan to be there for 5 years, that's a lot longer than many people even stay in their "permanent" home, so for all intensive purposes, it is primary and only residence. Why wouldn't you use a VA loan? You can use the VA loan again after you sell the house, or you can refinance to a conventional loan at that point an use the VA loan again. You can use the VA loan more than one time, you just can't have two open at the same time, as I recall it.
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Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS
Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS
8 y
You can use it more than once, however the VA Funding fee increases % wise after the first usage (from 2% to 3% iirc).
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LTC John Shaw
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I would only use VA on primary residence and that statement is required to secure the loan.
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SPC(P) Information Security (Is) Analyst
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8 y
Thank you for the response Sir, this home would be my primary residence, but I don't plan on living in the home for longer than a decade.
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LTC John Shaw
LTC John Shaw
8 y
That is a good use of VA money, invest in your house and resale later, I see no worries with that approach.
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MAJ Contracting Officer
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Edited 8 y ago
Look at both the VA and a conventional loan, the interest rate and PMI are the major concerns a HUD loan has a crazy expensive PMI cost that isn't disclosed up front. The VA funding fee is expensive if you are not service disabled, but the lower interest rate normally gives you a payback period of about four years. 10 years certainly is a long time for a loan. After looking at both you can do a Cost Benefit Analysis and find out which one is the best loan for your situation.

If you decide to move, refinance the home before you move out as investment properties typically require 25% equity of the original cost of the loan to refinance. So refinance just before you leave to a conventional loan then you can use the VA loan on your new home. Also the current tax rules require a capital gains tax on any rental property that you sell. About 25% of the profit on the home goes to taxes, if you have lived in the home for 2 out of the last 5 years (estimated years may be 3) there is no tax on the profit, so it may be better to just sell the home when you depart. Best of luck and congrats on the purchase.
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