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When veteran Dubois Toy received a check for $2,600 at his closing table after buying a $369,000 property, he knew he'd stumbled onto something extraordinary. With just $400 out-of-pocket, he'd unlocked the hidden potential of the VA loan that most veterans never discover.

As a former ethical hacker, Toy brought his methodical approach to finding loopholes to the world of real estate investing. "I read 2,000 pages of the VA lenders handbook," he reveals, explaining how this deep dive uncovered game-changing strategies most loan officers don't even know about. The most shocking revelation? Only 35% of veterans ever use their VA loan benefits, leaving billions in potential wealth-building opportunities untapped.

The conversation explodes with practical insights about maximizing veteran benefits—from getting property tax exemptions through disability ratings to the little-known technique of partnering multiple veterans together to purchase buildings far beyond the standard 4-unit limit. Toy breaks down how creative financing allowed him to acquire multiple properties with zero down payment and explains how veterans can stack tax advantages through strategic house hacking.

Beyond real estate strategies, Toy shares powerful resources for veterans struggling with housing, offers book recommendations that transformed his mindset, and discusses the stark differences in benefits between various states. His passion for helping fellow veterans navigate what can be an overwhelming system shines throughout the episode.

Whether you're a veteran looking to maximize your benefits or simply someone interested in creative real estate strategies, this conversation reveals how reading the fine print and questioning conventional wisdom can unlock extraordinary opportunities. What military benefit could you be missing out on right now?

Resources:

🏠 VA LOAN & HOUSE HACKING

VA Loan Program Overview (0% down, eligibility, benefits):

🔗 https://www.benefits.va.gov/homeloans/

VA Buyer’s Guide (PDF) – Understand the VA home loan process:

🔗 https://www.benefits.va.gov/homeloans/documents/docs/VA_Buyers_Guide.pdf

House Hacking with a VA Loan (renting by room/unit strategy):

🔗 https://veteran.com/house-hacking-va-loan/

VA Jumbo Loan Explanation (limits above conforming loan):

🔗 https://www.veteransunited.com/valoans/va-jumbo-loans/

VA Energy Efficient Mortgage (EEM) – Upgrade your property:

🔗 https://www.veteransunited.com/valoans/va-energy-efficient-mortgage/

VA Renovation Loan (similar to FHA 203k):

🔗 https://www.veteransunited.com/valoans/va-rehab-loans/

🧾 PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTIONS (CHICAGO / COOK COUNTY)

Cook County Veterans Property Tax Exemption (70%+ disabled = full exemption):

🔗 https://www.cookcountyassessor.com/veterans-disabilities-exemption

Returning Veterans Exemption (recently returned from active duty):

🔗 https://www.cookcountyassessor.com/returning-veterans-exemption

Disabled Veterans Homestead Exemption Details (State of IL):

🔗 https://www2.illinois.gov/veterans/services/Pages/property-tax-relief.aspx

Shoot Dubois a message on FB if you want to ask questions or get in contact!

https://www.facebook.com/share/16CfS5xbFf/?mibextid=qi2Omg

For additional resources, click here.