While condos might be all someone can afford to owner occupy or invest in enter at your own risk and if they are talking about future special assessments you will likely scare future buying prospects away. 

Most lenders do not offer HELOCs on investment properties, so it may be difficult to find this product. 

Great tools that get updated regularly.I am on the lending side of things and would be happy to hop on a call with you anytime to discuss financial strategies and help answer any questions you may have about nearly any loan product available to help you on your journey, even if they are not products my capital partners offer.I have quite a few clients investing in Ohio that are BRRRRing. 

Hook up with the best Commercial realtor for that product type in your area.  

Great tools that get updated regularly.I am on the lending side of things and would be happy to hop on a call with you anytime to discuss financial strategies and help answer any questions you may have about nearly any loan product available to help you on your journey, even if they are not products my capital partners offer.We are all here to help you learn and grow.

My firm has a fix to rent product that discounts the interest on the fix portion, and discounts origination on the DSCR portion. 

Great tools that get updated regularly.I am on the lending side of things and would be happy to hop on a call with you anytime to discuss financial strategies and help answer any questions you may have about nearly any loan product available to help you on your journey, even if they are not products my capital partners offer.We are all here to help you learn and grow.

I've tried some hard money lenders too but they don't seem to have a product for self storage where there is no current income coming in.The kicker is we've been able to negotiate the price down from 400k to 300k because we know they're trying to get their cash out and they told us they couldn't get a loan either. 

I would recommend to buy in your local market for your first property... but I also realize every market is different and might not be affordable or the best solution. 

Few questions- to afford a $1M home you must have had good salary - who was the bread winner between you and your ex?