In this case, you can use Rental Income from the units that you will not be living in and that income can count to help you qualify.FHA rates are going to be lower than conventional for you almost always, but FHA does have a 1.75% funding fee. 

I'm still flipping but I do live ins so only 1 every couple years, mostly San Jose.

But this was an awesome opportunity for me because this is my first living situation where I will be on my own (and getting used to paying a rent/mortgage) but this will put my overall mortgage on a 400k house at roughly $2000 a month for the first year!

@Isaac TerryIn terms of it being worthwhile, just like most other markets out of state if the barrier or entry is too high where you live, the landlord laws are not favorable where you live, and you are looking for positive cashflow then Cleveland can be a good option.

Living in top unit and renting out the bottom.

I live right in Glastonbury and I serve the greater Hartford area.

After 25 months, If they can prove that they lived in the property for two of the past five years, they can sell it as an owner-occupied residence.

I'm familiar with the Greenville area, having lived in North Carolina for a few years.

If you have other money besides the 20K then this is a different story Already living in a house I bought before Covid.

I'd highly recommend house hacking in your local market since you're in one of the highest cost of living areas in the US, especially if you're renting currently and planning on staying in the area for 5-10 years.It sounds sexy to go out and invest out of state for your first property.