I can buy a 2-4 unit with 20% down vs conventional can only buy a 2-4 INVESTMENT property with 25% down 4. there are options where DSCR loans dont repot to personal credit, helps in not having to show a bunch of paperwork or not one person in a partnership has to carry the debt5. way less paperwork to close on this loan type vs a conventional loan. we care about the income of the property you're buying and it's ability to service the debt of the property whether we use long term rents income, lease income, or air dna/bnb income.6. easily buy in partnerships, add people to your operating agreement, its as easy as that so bring partners into a deal. helps with scaling and raising capital or getting partners involved7. gift funds allowed to close on these as well, and like I said earlier, there's only a 10day seasoning period of funds with some lenders so that means you can literally have a private money lender deposit money into your account 11 days before closing, and you can use those funds to close!

Strictly advice to move forward in these ventures.Your attitude may be the best thing about your ability going forward. 

It provides an opportunity to see what's happening in the units.You still have the ability to evict for lease violations, but your less likely to face non-payment issues. 

There are situations where it is more beneficial to end the current lease and start a new one (ability to change lease terms, rent amount etc), and there are situations where it makes more sense to just do an addendum.

Given what you’re looking for (affordability, cash flow, and the ability to add value), Detroit might be worth looking into.

It's been so bad here, that I bought an STR in Indiana with another business partner in 2024 because there are minimal opportunities here - unless you have the ability and budget to extensively source off market properties here.  

The real property investment can be repositioned if it proves disappointing in its original form; it can be refinanced or recapitalized if it has too much or too e pensive debt; inflation over time bales out many bad purchases, and finally the investors knowledge, experience and abilities can be leveraged to turn around a cash flow negative property.I’ll provide an exampleThree years ago we purchased a note from a bank secured by two auto repair facilities with a large amount of excess land.  

If you’re confident in your ability to find undervalued properties, using the equity in your homes can provide the leverage you need.

Quote from @Levi Perl: The purpose of background screening is to determine a level of risk, and then you decide if you can mitigate that risk.How does a DUI conviction from three years ago impact the tenant's ability to pay rent or maintain the property?

I would just continue to grind over the years until you have the ability to pay for the DP yourself.