Hey August, DSCR would be your next bet if you are wanting to buy another INV property.  

Considering your goal of house hacking a duplex, while FHA loans are common for first-timers, there are alternative financing options to explore:Conventional Loans: Need more credit and down payment, but offer flexibility. 203K Loans: Ideal for fixer-upper duplexes, bundling purchase and renovation costs.VA Loans: Great for vets—no down payment, competitive rates, and no mortgage insurance.Portfolio Loans: Private lenders, good for unconventional income or credit histories.Hard Money Loans: Quick, high-interest, good for investments or major renovations.With $30,000, mix it up—use it for a down payment, maybe pair with a conventional or FHA loan.

Flexibility is an important consideration.If you hear 7.5% DSCR rates, that probably has 1%-2% in discount points (up front closing costs to buy the rate down), a 4-5 year PPP, and it probably assumes a perfect rents/payment ratio. 

I would bet that the majority of real estate investors have an equity portfolio where they have no clue about what the companies that they hold do or how they make money.  

That would be your best bet to kind of get the best of both worlds.

Hi Angelique - what its describing is typically described as a "hard money loan" or "bridge loan" and the 30-year fixed option with no prepayment loan would be an alternative type of "DSCR" loan (DSCR loans often have prepayment penalties but can sometimes be flexible and have no prepayment penalty)

If it's an investment property, then I think your best bet would be to move the property into an LLC with you and your parents.

I've also been told off-market deals are often the best bet but am clueless about them... 

Your best bet is to talk with the seller about financing options. 

I'll bet you that no one in this blog know what the FIRE Strategy is.