More interested in land contracts and lease purchase options enough /without needing a lawyer each time.The properties are worth about 150k each.

Franky,Feel free to send me an email I can help with evaluating some options.   

If you are just starting it sounds like house hacking may be an option for you. 

I've seen some options recently for credit reporting for your tenants rent payments.

One option to try is to identify the hospitals that are close to your property and try to reach out directly to their HR departments.

So, after exploring several options, we just have to hold until our home is completed and then we can look at purchasing rental property. 

I would still work with a title company on this and let your lender know (if you have one) of the name change and what you are doing so they do not think you are selling the property.Another option would be to create a living trust for estate purposes and transfer it into the estate.

I grew up in WNC and still have family there so that is an option and even have placed offers on cabins in WNC to make an STR but nothing has panned out yet for something like that.

For investment, 20% down is typical with some 15% down options out there but there are restrictions (not sure if this is available for STRs, just LTRs.) 

The land, however, may appreciate, which can offset this.If you’re in an area where affordable housing is in high demand, mobile home rentals can be an excellent option, especially since you already have the land.