For veterans with an eye toward building wealth or reducing their cost of living, few opportunities are more compelling than using a VA loan to purchase a multifamily property. That's right—you can buy a duplex, triplex, or even a fourplex, all while benefiting from the advantages of the VA loan program.

There is one caveat: you must live in one of the units as your primary residence. This residency requirement ensures that the loan is being used for its intended purpose—homeownership.

So why is this strategy so powerful? For one, rental income from the other units can help offset your mortgage payment. In some cases, it can even eliminate your monthly housing costs entirely. That’s not just homeownership—that’s smart investing.

Multifamily VA purchases are also eligible for the same perks as single-family VA loans: zero down payment, competitive interest rates, and no private mortgage insurance.

Before you leap in, make sure the property meets VA appraisal standards, which include both condition and occupancy requirements. Work with a lender experienced in VA multifamily deals to ensure a smooth process.

If you’re a veteran who wants to live affordably while building long-term equity, this is a strategy worth exploring.