Bank's do not want to lend to scared or money strapped investors right now. 

If you're thinking of doing an electric system, as I am (wire mats underneath your hardwood), here are a couple things I've discovered so far:Electric heating means that you'll need to be grid tied.You will need to seal the matting to the floor with a mortar.

The last one (a 1925 house we completely renovated) we ran about $50,000 over budget because the windows had to be brought up to 2022 code, which required metal straps to be installed in various places on the window framing, and all the framing rules have changed since 1925!  

I would suggest, therefore, that you not make an SDIRA investment until you are not scared to do so, either through education, investing only a small amount initially, or both.As far as education goes, I have a dog-eared copy of Mat Sorensen's book "The Self-Directed IRA Handbook" close at hand on my desk at work. 

What would be the best option to start out with for a cash-strapped student!?

If you are cash strapped and finding many deals, I would sell.

But I love the online payments.No checks to deposit and great for maintaining payment history - both for the tenant and me.I also have one tenant that kept bringing cash to my house and leaving it under the mat.

The bank is pretty much ready to go, I'm just cash strapped in another project.I need some help, family.

Also, I feel that I should mention I do have a small amount of money saved up and that I can get my hands on if needed for minor repairs and holding costs for a limited amount of time, so I'm not going into this completely strapped, just looking at possibilities and options.  

Most tenants won't attack nor stalk you and if you think one is a weirdo and you don't feel comfortable going to the property then bring a big, strapped scary relative/friend with you.