I'm extremely familiar with this area.Property: 3 unit, all 2 bed/1bath (1 of the 3 units is not allowed as rental due to zoning.

I agree what others have said sweat equity it and do what you can hiring out only what you have to in order to take the shortest straightest line to cash flow coming in. by the time you sell this thing you will have 2-3 more payments out the door as well. its clear to me, they both hurt but the option to hold will recover...some day.so you either set yourself back for a couple years losing and paying on a property you dont own or a little every month on one you do that will eventually have upside, unfortunately if i was in your position i would look in the mirror and say made your bed- lie in it. 

My buy box is 2-3 bed with 2.5 bath.

The renovation will convert a row single family home into 3 family home ( the layout is already there ):- the first flow will be 1 bed, 1 bath- the second floor will be 2b, 1bath- the basement.If those 3 rents, I can easily have $1800-$2000 in gross rent per month.So any creative financial idea I can propose to him?

Current rent is $1125 for this 3 bed 2 bath place.

There is plenty of off market inventory with 2 beds getting $2580 and 3 beds getting $3120.

Unfortunately house hacking is kinda out of my reach.I have a 3 bed 2 bath primary that my wife and I live in with my 2 adult sons,which need to start investing in there own home by now lol,20 year old and a 23 year old.And my wife loves animals so some of those too.So I come with a lot of baggage to house hack I believe,unless there is a way I am not aware of.Sounds like your off to a great start,keep going forward!

Investment Info:

Single-family residence other investment.

Purchase price: $170,000

primary home 15yr fixed 2.75% 10yrs left on note

What made you interested in investing in this type of deal?
...

We'll both agree that, if you could get a 3-bed townhouse in Aldea Zama today for 200k, it'd be a steal but, at 410k, it's another story.

Purchase price: $110,000 Cash invested: $30,000 3 bed, 2 full bath, 1152 sq ft, on an acre lot.