The VA Loan Is a CHEAT CODE—And Most Vets Are Wasting It with Michael Mnatsakanian | Ep 374 Artwork

The Active Duty Passive Income Podcast

The military taught us discipline, leadership, and resilience—but it never taught us how to build wealth or create true financial freedom. That’s where we come in.

I’m Markian Sich, a United States Marine turned real estate investor, and I know firsthand how tough it can be to figure out what’s next after service. That’s why I started The Active Duty Passive Income Podcast—to bring you real stories, real strategies, and real success from military investors, entrepreneurs, and industry experts who’ve been where you are.

We talk about leveraging your VA Loan, Military House Hacking, and proven investing strategies to help you build passive income, transition with confidence, and take control of your financial future.

You’ve fought hard to defend the American Dream—now let’s make sure you own a piece of it. Subscribe now and start your journey to financial freedom!

All Episodes

The Active Duty Passive Income Podcast

The VA Loan Is a CHEAT CODE—And Most Vets Are Wasting It with Michael Mnatsakanian | Ep 374

August 21, 2025 • Season 374

From VA Loan House Hack to $22M Portfolio with Michael Mnatsakanian

In this episode of the ADPI podcast, host Markian Sich sits down with Michael Mnatsakanian, a military veteran who turned a single VA loan house hack into a real estate empire worth over $22 million. Michael unpacks the mindset shifts, strategic moves, and creative financing tactics that helped him scale fast—all while staying true to his mission of financial freedom and family-first living.

Michael shares his journey from analysis paralysis to confident action, explaining how one local investor meetup became the catalyst for everything. He dives deep into the VA loan as a “cheat code,” how co-living and rent-by-the-room strategies are solving the housing affordability crisis, and why most new investors are stuck pretending to play the game instead of actually playing it.

Whether you're active duty, a veteran, or just serious about building wealth through real estate—this episode is packed with practical insights, game-changing mindset shifts, and actionable tools to help you take the next step.

Episode breakdown:

00:00 Introduction and Guest Announcement

02:22 Guest Background and First VA House Hack

04:16 Getting Wealthy Isn’t Overnight—But It Can Be Fast

06:02 Foundation First: The Years of Invisible Progress

07:40 From Paralysis to Action: What Finally Pushed Him

10:14 VA Loan Breakdown & Using it for Multifamily

13:08 The Moment That Pissed Him Off Enough to Start

15:12 Real Talk: Analysis Without Action Is Wasted Time

17:34 The Power of Community & Finding Local Mentors

20:58 Why Military Events Like REI-CON Change Everything

24:00 His “Why”: Breaking the Cycle for His Future Kids