Seeking Guidance, Mentorship, & Potential Partnerships (VA Loan Opportunity)

[Karinne Ovalles]

Hello BiggerPockets Community,

My husband and I are ready to take the next leap in our real estate journey and we’re looking for guidance, mentorship, and possibly the right partners to grow with.

Our background:

• Purchased a short-term rental in Upstate NY in 2020
• Lived in it, fully renovated, and listed on Airbnb in 2023
• Achieved Superhost status with 27 stays and 100% 5-star reviews
• I became a licensed real estate agent to deepen my investment knowledge and sharpen our acquisition strategy

Our current STR doesn’t generate large cash flow due to remote management expenses, but it is consistently building equity. We’re playing the long game—targeting long-term wealth and financial independence within 10–15 years.

Our next move:

We want to acquire another property using my husband’s VA loan benefits. We’re looking for the best ways to:

• Determine if our current model fits more as BRRR or house hacking
• Strategically refinance to position ourselves for our next VA loan purchase
• Build equity now while increasing future cash flow

What we’re open to:

• Learning from seasoned investors
• Collaborating with creative, like-minded partners
• Exploring JV opportunities where we bring real value—experience with STR setup/management, design, renovation, and sales expertise from my real estate background

We’re not yet BiggerPockets Pro members (budget timing), but it’s a top priority because this community has already been an incredible resource. If you’ve walked this path before, have tips to share, or see potential for collaboration. 

[Eric DeNardo]

@Karinne Ovalles - congrats on your accomplishment with your first short-term rental! That's awesome. 

For your next one, I suggest looking into assuming an existing VA loan so you can get a low rate and qualify for more potentially. Limits your options a bit, but could be a great way to get a good deal.