There is a lot of 2 and 4 unit inventory in KC and I think a fourplex is a fantastic first investment property! 

Filter properties by geography and “rental yield” and get alerts when new inventory that meets your criteria hits the market.Let us know about any feedback you have and expect iterations on this in the back half of the year and into 2025!

I'm wondering if there are any non-conventional lenders who loan for this price range. 

There is a good inventory of flipped houses for sale at that price right now.

As far as STR goes, you can house hack the property that you first buy (in a single family home or in your unit of a multifamily property) and potentially do short term rentals in all of the other units or in your exiting property.STR as a way to invest is getting more challenging currently as supply of new STR inventory has been outpacing the demand for STRs.

Document Valuables: Maintain detailed inventories with photos.3.

This is for mid-range quality and minimal assembly items- what you save in purchase price you will lose in replacement and assembly costs!

PMI could be in the $80-$100/month range if you have fairly good credit so lets use $90/month.

For borrowers with low or mid-range credit scores, what are some strategies for securing hard money loans?

You mentioned rental opp by the room in the higher price range may be a good option.