How to hack my way into 2nd house

[Nicole Heasley Beitenman]

Hello BP! I own a home through an FHA loan. I rent out the spare bedrooms, which covers the mortgage, taxes, insurance, and repair reserve. It doesn't cash flow beyond that, but that was not my goal when I purchased it. It would produce a good cash flow if I rented it as a whole house rather than by bedroom. I'm tired of having roommates, but I'm not tired of having someone pay my mortgage. I'd like to hack my way into a duplex. I'd be making more money off of my current house, and I'd have my own space. I've set up a budget and savings plan to have a small down payment saved up by early spring of next year. I have a list of local credit unions and small banks in the Cleveland area that was created here on BP. I have a realtor from buying my current home, but she is not an investor, and I worry she won't understand how the numbers will have to work for me. She's also not a fan of looking at multiple neighborhoods, which I may have to do in order to find a good deal. I regularly attend local REI meetups and have told others about my plans in hope that, when I'm seriously looking, others may point me towards good deals. I'm still at least 7-1/2 months from being able to really start looking at houses. But is there anything I can start doing now to prepare? I'm especially concerned about finding a loan that doesn't require a 20% down payment. I know I won't find another loan that let's me put 3.5% down, but something in the middle (5-10%) would be much more manageable. TIA!

[Chris Svendsen]

Oh, and get a different agent.  I be damned if an agent gonna hold me back.  I drag mine all over if deal right.  They making money off this they better be there with a smile and a list of properties that meet my criteria.