I Bought a Triplex with My VA Loan… and It Changed the Way I Think About Investing
When I first joined the Army, I assumed the VA loan was simply a way to buy a home.
Years later, I decided to purchase a triplex, live in one unit, and rent the other two. That single decision completely changed how I viewed real estate investing.
A few lessons I learned:
🏡 Your primary residence can become your first investment.
💰 Reducing your own housing costs can accelerate your ability to save and invest.
🔧 House hacking isn't passive. It comes with maintenance, tenants, and unexpected challenges—but those experiences taught me lessons I couldn't have learned from reading alone.
Looking back, I wish I had understood this strategy much earlier in my career.
For those who have used a VA loan—or are considering it—what was your biggest takeaway or concern before getting started? I'd enjoy hearing different experiences and perspectives.
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#1 BRRRR - Buy, Rehab, Rent, Refinance, Repeat Contributor
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#1 BRRRR - Buy, Rehab, Rent, Refinance, Repeat Contributor
- Lender
- Fort Worth, TX
@James ONeal yeah, I wish more of us veterans understood the power of this mortgage type. They may not give us good health benefits but they made it so we can go into debt easier! My first home, I house hacked as well...but didn't use a VA loan to do it. Thankfully, the internet helps making this the "information age" and learning things is a little easier. Don't forget - you can have multiple VA loans too. Keep that train a'movin'!