I will be paying more in interest over the new loan, but is it worth it to get started in my investing journey started or is this a stupid decision. 

I'm trying to figure out the most efficient yet cost-effective way to compile data.

This is how my firm's SPAM folder looks this Saturday morning.

Mackay, Idaho.For anyone unfamiliar, Mackay sits in the Lost River Valley surrounded by some of the tallest peaks in Idaho.

This is a great place to learn and get a number of different opinions. 

If anyone can share tips, recommended steps, or lessons learned—from deal finding, analyzing, running comps, budgeting rehab, to building a local team—we’d really appreciate it. 

Second that = look into a home equity loan that way when you are done using it and paid off you still have access to it for other repairs and or to purchase an investment property.

Ultimately, it’s the buyer who shoulders the cost - often tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars.Myth #2 – An agent will help you find a fair priceThis may have been true before websites like Zillow and Redfin, which today allow buyers to access an unprecedented amount of market data.

Quick BackgroundMy spouse and I are 100% disabled veterans in Northern Virginia (close to major employment companies/contractors/tech hubs, Reston Town Center, Metro).We both work in tech, but my spouse will stop working soon(burnout).Goal is early retirement + passive income, not building a huge portfolio, which seems difficult in this HCOLAWe’re not handy, but spouse is considering leaving Tech and going to school full time for carpentry utilizing Post 911 benefitsHave around 150-200k in liquid capital We realize that when one spouse leaves tech, the ability to really pay down a mortgage will be greatly reducedCurrent Property (Owned Free & Clear)Estimated value from Zillow: ~$776,300 (does not include massive kitchen renovation)4 bed / 3 bathEstimated rent: ~$3,500/mo (without renovation included)Scenario 1 (Leaning this way)Use a VA loan to buy a smaller primary residence locally (0% down).

I’m trying to better understand who the ideal buyer profile is, both for this property and for future projects like it.I’m not trying to advertise or pitch it - I’m hoping to get smarter about how investors, house-hackers, and long-term buyers think about properties like this one.