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    House Hacking
    With A VA Loan

    The Ultimate Veteran Wealth-Building Strategy

    Prepared By

    David Torres

    Military Relocation Professional (MRP)

    Section 1: The Concept

    House Hacking is the strategy of buying a multi-family property (2-4 units), living in one unit, and renting out the others. The rental income pays down your mortgage, builds your equity, and often covers your entire housing expense.

    With a VA Loan, you can execute this strategy with $0 down payment and no Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI).

    Section 2: The VA Rules

    Primary Residence

    You MUST intend to occupy one of the units as your primary residence for at least 12 months.

    Unit Limits

    The VA allows you to purchase properties with up to 4 units (a fourplex). Commercial properties (5+ units) are not eligible.

    Rental Income

    You can often use up to 75% of the projected rental income from the other units to help you qualify for the loan.

    Experience

    Some lenders require you to have prior property management experience or hire a property manager.

    Curious how the VA loan stacks up against FHA, Conventional, and investor products for a multi-family purchase? The Ultimate Loan Comparison Guide breaks down every option side by side.

    Section 3: The Workflow

    1

    Pre-Approval & Entitlement

    Verify your Certificate of Eligibility (COE) and get pre-approved specifically for a multi-family purchase.

    2

    Multi-Family Property Search

    We target duplexes, triplexes, and fourplexes in strong rental markets. We evaluate neighborhoods based on tenant demand.

    3

    Cash Flow Analysis

    Before making an offer, we run the numbers. We calculate gross rents, subtract vacancies, maintenance, taxes, insurance, and the mortgage.

    4

    Offer & VA Appraisal

    The VA appraisal process for multi-family homes includes Minimum Property Requirements (MPRs). We negotiate repairs if needed.

    5

    Closing & Tenant Transition

    We manage the handover of existing leases, security deposits, and keys. You move into your unit and officially become a landlord.

    Section 4: Deal Analyzer Worksheet

    Income

    Unit 1 Rent (Yours)$0
    Unit 2 Rent$_______
    Unit 3 Rent$_______
    Unit 4 Rent$_______
    Total Gross Income$_______

    Expenses

    Total Mortgage (PITI)$_______
    Vacancy (5-8%)$_______
    Maintenance (5-10%)$_______
    CapEx (5-10%)$_______
    Total Expenses$_______
    Net Cash Flow$_______ / mo

    *If your Net Cash Flow is positive or slightly negative while you live there for "free", it's a great deal!

    Your Next Step

    Model Your VA Payment

    The VA Loan Calculator models your payment, funding fee, and tax exemption. Plug in your fourplex numbers.

    Open the Calculator

    David Torres

    Realtor | MRP | PSA

    Realvisor Realty

    210-776-8854

    [email protected]

    Ready to execute? Call or text today.

    Book a Call Call / Text NowFind Your Fourplex