Military investors
Every PCS can be a rental.
Military life moves you every few years. Used strategically, that makes it one of the best setups there is for building a rental portfolio.
Step 1: House hack with VA
A VA loan can buy a duplex, triplex or fourplex with $0 down as long as you live in one unit. Projected rent from the other units can help you qualify, and your tenants help cover the mortgage.
Step 2: Keep it when orders come
Instead of selling at your next PCS, rent it out. Depending on your remaining entitlement, you may be able to buy again with VA at the next duty station — and an IRRRL can later lower the rate on the old house even though you no longer live there.
Step 3: Scale with DSCR loans
DSCR (debt service coverage ratio) loans are built for investors. They qualify on the property's rental income compared with its payment — not your tax returns, pay stubs or debt-to-income.
- Purchase, rate-and-term and cash-out refinance options.
- Long-term and short-term rentals.
- Can close in an LLC.
- Typically require a down payment (often 20–25%) and reserves — and are for investment properties only, not your primary home.
Other tools
- VA cash-out refinance on your current home to fund the next down payment.
- Conventional investment loans for strong-income borrowers.
- Deal analysis — run the numbers before you offer. The Resource Hub for Real Estate Investors has calculators and DSCR guides.
Talk to a real person
Map out your next three PCS moves.
A straight answer in about 10 minutes — no application, no credit pull, no obligation. Se habla español.
Ashley Hickmon · SVP Sales Development & Growth, Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation · NMLS #250615
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“Ashley went above and beyond to make sure we had the right loan for us. She provided us options so we could run the numbers to make the best decision. There were zero hiccups in the process — smoothest financing we've ever done.”
“Took her time explaining everything to us as we went through the process. She was always available by phone, email or text to answer our questions. She went above and beyond to make everything work, and thought outside of the box.”