Hard economic situation. Parents asking me to get mortgage

[Javier Blanco]

Long story short. I am inmigrant, my family and I got here (Atanta) aboit 4 years ago. My father got laid off in May and due to his age and high level of expertise its really hard to find a corporate job. My mom cant work at least right now due to health issues. We have been renting a condo all the time but now since I know quite a bit of real estate I have been telling them that renting tnalthough it was convenient due to different factors it has also been a waste of money. They agreed to try to find something to buy but my father doesnt have an amazing credit score like me or my brother, plus he is unemployed so he wont get a mortgage. I told my brother that he has to be the one getting the mortgage because I have plan of starting my real estate investing career in January (buying a duplex) so I cant have a mortagage like that on my name because my debt to income ratio will be high. Also they want to get a condo or a townhouse because its more comfortable and I am here dying in my mind thinking on HOA fees, not having an extra room to rent for house hacking, etc. My brother told me that one of the lenders told him that the loan options would be better if we both are in it (me as a cosigner) thing I refuse to do. If I help, I want to do it under my terms. Buying a house, getting an FHA owner occupied or something like that. Please I need some advise!!