Options on getting more properties?

[Whitney Moses]

I just recently bought my first 2unit via fha loan, and i want to start building my rental portfolio early next year in 2020. I recently talked to my loan officer about my options and he said that i wouldn't be able to get another fha loan and that the next property i buy i will have to put down 20-25% i only want to invest in multi-units for now since it's how i started and want to continue to grow that way. I don't really have 20-25% to put down on a property and i looked into refi and/or doing a HELOC but i saw that one of the requirements is not having any late payments on your existing loan which i do due to loss of a job. Is there any other way? I know partners are also a great solution but it's hard trusting other people especially since i have already been hurt by a business partner before. Any info or advice would help.