Str/mtr loans and strategy

[Zach Abey]

Hello everyone, I am new to real estate investing and am seeking advice how to get started with str/ mtr. I'm currently living in Jacksonville NC area, bought a new construction in 2020 for a great rate and used the VA loan with 0 money down (I'm in the military). My plan is to keep this house when I move, and rent it long term and build equity and cash flow then eventually sell and use the money to invest in more properties. In the meantime, I am looking into investing into a str/mtr in Norfolk to target military/ travel nurses/ vacationers. Most likely a single family, would like to find a duplex where I can rent out both units. My question is, is there any other loans that I can utilize that I wouldn't have to put 20% down? I'm looking into the $200,000-250,000 range, which would be $40,000-50,000 down payment plus furnishing the whole house and other expenses. Being in the military I do not have much extra cash to throw around and I don't want to throw all of my savings into a down payment and risk it not being rented out right away.
Any advice on different types of loans? Or if I should hold off and save up until I have $60-70,000 before starting? Or adjusting my strategy completely? Tia!