@Kyle TrotmanI would suggest speaking to local banks, and credit unions.

Two, you'll have a much easier time obtaining a mortgage product if you have a track record of W2 income.In the meantime, continue implementing the strategies you mentioned: save religiously, build your credit, pay any existing debt owed, etc.

Any local bank that does this kind of financing should be able to approve you as long as you have a good enough credit score and never declared BK.

If my target would be low income residents, are there any grants, tax credits, or funds available to help me with the conversion? 

You don’t need necessarily need to build credit.

While I do not have an official W-2 currently, I do have a steady income, great credit, and have money saved as well from working since I was 13 years old.I relate to Ian Kay in his journey but also am very determined to make my goals/dreams a reality this year by July 2025.

Credit Score: 

He sees me as a dreamer, and not a doer, which to his credit is kind of accurate.

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!

U will never get a dime of rent and you are going to have to probably do as you stated find your own attorney.. its better to leave property vacant than to rent to folks that have terrible credit.