A VA loan is one of the most powerful tools available to veterans and active-duty service members who want to build wealth through real estate. Because VA loans require no down payment and no private mortgage insurance (PMI), you can get started with little to no money out of pocket — making them an ideal strategy for buying your first fixer-upper or investment property.

Coastal Builders and Consultants is a proud Veteran-owned and operated company, dedicated to serving fellow Veterans and the Charleston community with their home building, renovation, and real estate needs. With firsthand understanding of military life, we provide trusted guidance, quality craftsmanship, and tailored solutions to help Veterans and their families achieve their homeownership and investment goals.

Here’s how it works:

  1. Buy Your First Property with $0 Down

    • Use your VA loan benefit to purchase a single-family home, duplex, triplex, or fourplex with no down payment required. You’ll need to live in one of the units as your primary residence for 12 months, but you can rent out the others during this time.

  2. Choosing a Fixer-Upper

    • Look for properties that need cosmetic updates or renovations. While the VA loan doesn’t directly cover major rehab, you can use seller credits, renovation financing (VA renovation loan option), or personal financing to cover repairs.

  3. House Hacking Your Way to Cash Flow

    • Rent out extra units (in a multi-family) or even spare bedrooms if it’s a single-family home. This rental income can cover your mortgage and free up cash for future projects.

  4. Build Equity Through Renovations

    • By improving the property, you increase its value. Working with a trusted and VA registered Builder/Contractor can create equity that becomes leverage you can use later for refinancing or selling and rolling profits into your next investment.

  5. Rinse and Repeat

    • After living in the property for the required time, you can use your VA entitlement again (depending on remaining entitlement and loan limits) to purchase another home, expanding your portfolio with little upfront cost.

Why It Works:

  • $0 down means no barrier to entry.

  • Rental income offsets costs and builds long-term wealth.

  • Renovations create equity fast.

  • VA loan terms (low interest rates, no PMI) keep monthly payments low compared to conventional loans.

This strategy lets veterans turn their housing benefit into a long-term real estate investment engine — starting with no money out of pocket.

Contact us today to start looking for your next home or fixer upper using your VA Home Loan benefits!