What is the best option for us since we will not qualify for the traditional purchase with using credit score?

@Eric Gardiner I'm still kind of new to this stuff so I am open to advice, but I think we will be using traditional financing. 

Condo appraisals require comparable  properties outside of your project.

If I have $20k to invest in a rental property, are there ways to get another loan for less than the traditional 20% down?

As a fellow west coaster, I understand how difficult it can be to find local returns that compare to some of those found in other parts of the country.My favorite part of your whole strategy ... training up your boys and teaching the next generation ... those memories and lessons are worth more than the paint and plywood. 

Traditional lending is too expensive here, so private lending or partnerships may work.

Looks similar where it has huge 'swings' compared to the other times it went down a bit.

@Dean Letfus I would say both markets are pretty comparable in the types of neighborhoods etc...

The assessor looks at comparable sales to come up with the value of your property, they don't actually look at what's been done to it unless there is an addition.

A brokerage is fine if your non-traditional investments will not be overly interactive - such as the occasional note, syndicated deal, crowdfund, etc.