In the future just make sure that that conversation is part of your intake at lease signing. 

@Kyle Warren while no one wants to buy at/near the top of a market cycle, you have to live somewhere, and there's always virtue in taking the plunge, getting past the first deal hump, and starting to learn - so doing a house hack is something I pretty much always recommend to new people.As far as areas, there are good and not-as-good parts of pretty much every city/town in RI.

Make sure you're practicing objections and your script/intake questions.That being said, its a numbers game as you implied.

Cutting in takes the longest.

Check to make sure all the air intake and exhaust vents are open inside the house and not obstructed. 

This might be a one-off but here goes: looking for folks experienced in taking on a partner who does not have capital to invest but can contribute local knowledge and more specifically, master level trade skills.

Sell the unit you live in - take the gain tax free3.

However, I'm not sure whether there is risk in taking the loan with such a short 5 yr term. 

I would find a place similar to that where they wouldn't mind having people come in, take up some space and buy some food, or beer.

Sell the property I currently live in take the profits and buy another residence?