Trouble before even starting, newbie needs advice.

[David Rosenhaus]

I'll try to be brief, lol.

I'm trying to get prepped a bit before seriously looking for my first deal (wholesale or flip).

Background:

I cannot get any first time home buyer breaks and can't house hack. I have no high value assets. My credit is garbage (had to do bankruptcy last year) and I only have access to $10K (assuming I can roll my 401k into an SDIRA. If not, I only have $3K). No family or friends who have (or are WILLING, lol) to lend.

Even assuming the 10k, it's nowhere near the 20-30% down payment needed for hard lenders.

Add to that, I'm in Central NJ so nothing is cheap.

I've read about assigning contracts and all that ron legrand-type stuff, but it all seems scammy if not illegal, and I refuse to run a dishonest business.

There has to be a way to get going, but right now I'm at a loss. Any advice or guidance is appreciated.

Thanks.