I did a lot of research on options.

What options does your lease give you?

Also, within this approach, the option that attracts me the most is purchasing and installing a 'tiny home' on a campground that allows it.

For example, I will send a tenant the lease renewal options and give them one week to respond.

Off-market deals are key if you go this route, so networking is huge.Out-of-state investing is another option people love, especially in markets like PA (Philly, Scranton) or even down south where prices are lower, and the landlord-tenant laws are more forgiving.

Initially, we wanted to  have the loan under my wife's name only but my the loan officer from the builder's lending arm told us that if I am in the buyer, the RE Agent and the mortgagor (in the loan), I could use my agent commission towards closing costs and down payment.

Quote from @Scott Trench: Why not lend? 

The midwest has great options - Indiana, Michigan and Ohio has lots of great sub markets with good cash flow. 

Quote from @Samuel Pavlovcik: @Nicolas Tow Your Architect is correct that it sounds like the only option for you would be to obtain a Zoning Map Amendment to change to RT3.5 or higher.

I think a better option is to get a job in property management.