The good news is you don't need a specialty loan for a house hack, just a traditional primary home loan.

If you are open to non-traditional methods of financing, you could use a debt service loan to bypass that requirement.

you will not find a cashflowing property at 100% financing whether its with a traditional loan and heloc or whatever the terms. 

Right now, it is incredibly tough to make even a few hundred a month with traditional strategies.

Typically, the tax is based on the assessed fair market value of the property at the time of the transfer, even if it’s not a traditional sale.

It’s a great way to grow faster.HELOC or Equity Tapping: If you have equity in another property, using a HELOC or cash-out refinance could help cover the down payment without affecting your DTI as much.Seller Financing or Creative Deals: Look for sellers willing to finance directly, which bypasses traditional mortgage qualification hurdles.Scaling quickly often involves combining strategies—play around with what works best for your goals.

It’s important to ensure you’re comfortable with these risks and consult a financial advisor.If you choose to use a HELOC, consider traditional financing or private loans as alternatives if you prefer not to risk your home.As for your first rental, markets in the Midwest and Southeast offer great opportunities with turnkey properties that are tenant-ready and appreciating.

This strategy can generate higher returns than traditional rentals, but it does come with increased management requirements and potentially more volatility.

We're also starting to scour other forums for possible investments outside the traditional MLS sites, and other areas like upstate NY. 

What are the challenges of passive investing as opposed to traditional real estate investing?