Refinance options on VA loan to maximize REI benefits

Refinance options on VA loan to maximize REI benefits

Rental Property Investor · San Diego, CA · Member since 2019 · 6 posts · 4 votes

Newbiew investor here.

I used my VA loan to house hack a duplex (purchased in May 2020). I bought the duplex as a VA foreclosure around ~170k, appraised at 186k as-is, and it was previously sold in 2017 for ~225k. Property cashflows great and I want to keep it.

My goal as a REI is to continue to house hack MFH on a yearly basis and to purchase 1-2 OOS rental properties in between.

My question is what do you experienced real estate investors think I should do with my current loan that would be set me up for my future goals? 

I have been quoted 2.25% with $695 origination fee and the rest are fixed costs (VA funding fee, title, credit,..) for a VA IRRRL. That seems like a great way to reduce my rate, but the monthly cashflow would only increase $70 and not sure how this would help with my long term goals.

Another option is to VA cash out refi at 100% (assuming appraisal is at 230k), but then I'll have to continue occupying my duplex for another year and limit my househacking goals.

Final option is to owner occupy conventional refinance (would have to appraisal near 230k for numbers to work) and that would open my full VA entitlement back up and I can purchase a more costly MFH next time. This route has the most up front costs, but I think it gives me the best options for using my VA loan.

Any advice from some of you extremely knowledgeable investors? I might just be over thinking this due to all the options, but I want to best set myself up for my short term and long term goals, but its hard for me do a fair comparison between all the options. Thank you!

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  • Rental Property Investor · Springfield, MO · Member since 2016 · 1k+ posts · 890 votes
    5y

    Good afternoon @Michael Mnatsakanian First, let me congratulate you on a strategy that I love! Second, if it was me I would probably hit that VA IRRRL at the solid rate, and then you can still reuse the VA loan wherever you end up next because you'll have $300k+ remaining entitlement!

    Alternatively, I would refinance into FHA (if possible) or a conventional loan, to recoup my entire entitlement. I wouldn't do the VA cash out refinance though, just because that reduces your remaining entitlement more, which can hurt purchasing power with the VA loan...that is, unless the equity is enough to make a solid down payment or two, then maybe, haha

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