Expat coming back to US with no w-2 job or home of my own.

[Zachary D.]

First, I want to thank everyone contributing to BiggerPockets. I've learned a lot over the past couple of years while reading and listening to the podcasts.

I am coming back to Texas from Japan in September of this year (2017) and I won't have a w-2 job right away, or for a few months possibly. I am changing fields and don't have much money. I'll be living with family, but because my wife will be joining me from Japan soon, I don't think we can live there for long. 

To get to the point...I want to avoid wasting  2 years and 20,000 dollars on rent and live in an investment property ( house hack ).

I am considering structuring a series of personal loans, approaching a portfolio lender, or maybe even a hard money lender to get a 2-4 unit building to live in while renting out. Partnerships may also be worth exploring.

Almost anything seems better than dumping money into an apartment.

I am also open to small commercial buildings if it would relieve my lack of w-2 problem.

Can anyone offer a sober perspective on my situation?