When you do any agency loan (conventional or government) as a Primary Residence, you are signing a new 1 year "occupancy clause".

It’s currently a single lot and contains my family and I’s primary residence which we have about $250k of equity in.

You would be violating the law for doing that.Be comforted that most prospective residents don't provide proper ESA documentation. 

- Lots of Equipment (R&D Facilities, Car Washes)- Gas Stations (100% 15 year properties)- Movable walls (self storage)You can find anywhere from 15-35% of the purchase price of a typical apartment complex is this type of property.More of it means less tax for you from higher depreciation amounts!

They pressured us not to make loans to investors and, all the banks I worked for, were really tight on their investor lending to the point that they only did it for strong clients that might do a deal on the side.

I am a new investor to real estate, residing in Southern Maryland.

There is a lot of pressure to choose your tenants wisely, and make sure they all get a long.

@Melanie ThomasI really think it depends what market you're in, and what type of resident base you have.

Two masters degrees, two properties and my home residence, and still charting my path to the goals I set sooooo many years ago. 

We are in the process of becoming permanent residents (still a 1 to 3 year process for us), which kind of limits us with regards to loan and financing options.