Maybe paying off credit card debt or other debt on your report to reduce the minimum payments, increasing the downpayment, finding a house that doesnt require HOA or flood insurance (if applicable), etc.

Markets in the Sunbelt—like Birmingham, AL, or Chattanooga, TN, for instance—offer far more favorable rent-to-price ratios, so you’re more likely to find cash-flowing opportunities there than if you constrained yourself to NJ.You also make a good point about the BRRRR approach.

For DSCR, it's usually slightly higher than the conventional route due to it only looks how well the subject property rental performs + credit vs conventional where it requires credit, income, assets to be reviewed.

@James HumphreyI would suggest speaking to local banks, and credit unions.

If you have a lot of equity or if you bought the property when your credit score wasn't great (leading to a high interest rate), then it might make sense. 

There are some lenders that require a deposit up front and is credited at closing for fees.

If they understand that I am not responsible, I may provide a small rent credit as a token gesture.

What you will be looking in is chapter 4, credit underwriting.  

These are more favorable locations, even better than being close to Temple IMO. 

Not sure if you were looking for a long-term hold on a two family, but it seems that was not playing out favorably for you.