new member from NEW JERSEY

[Henderson Silva]

Hi there, I am an army veteran from NJ that will be eligible for a VA loan within the next 4 months. I now have a state job that pays 44000 a year with a 4000 increase every year until it reaches 82000. I am looking to buy my first property that brings in cash or from what i have read here, BP calls it househacking i believe. I plan on buying a 3 family or 4 family house in the ironbound section of newark NJ that sells around 420 - 450 and rent it out while i live in 1 of the apartments for free. My only obstacle right now is ky credit which is 600 and my debit to income ratio is too high. Im paying down credit cards to see if i can get this investment going. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thank you guys in advance.

Ps: apartments here in newark nj rents for about 1500 a month each. 3 bedrooms 2 baths. 

Ironboumd newark nj