How to get bank to loan more money?

[Theresa Reynolds]

I am trying to buy a property in a market where the average home price is in the 300-400 k range. Occasionally houses come up in the high 200k range. 

I have about 70-80k ready for a downpayment on a place. However, I am a teacher and my income is only about 2k a month gross. As of now,  that is with putting all my money down. I have talked to two banks and one qualified me for a loan for about 200k and the other one for 210k, that is with me putting everything I have down, no room for rehab expenses. Obviously that makes me the opposite of a competitive buyer. Whenever there is something I can afford, the bidding war is so insane that I don't even want to put in an offer because I know the property is never worth that.

Is anyone else in the same boat here? How can I become more competitive. I know banks don't count partners as rental income, even if they pay you rent. And yes, I have inquired about putting him on the loan too, but it would only get me up to about 245k. Plus, I want to own something by myself, without other people involved in the process.

Any ideas?