I think it's around $15K minimum for a smaller place as a reference point. 

Quote from @Amanda Dobbs: Is there a place to find Private Investors as in one person?

Well, of course - that's obvious - but most people in most places in the US are going to spend too much on their purchase because that's what's available.

one of my clients that has a pretty big PM company.. had a unique way of doing this.He offered 50% of the first months rent or 500.00 minimum.. he would have 4 or 5 agents at the weekly meeting handout the list of vacants .. each of them would go place a sign in the yard and first come first served.. he found that potential tenants would call the first sign if no answer they called the next one until finally someone answered.. it worked pretty awesome for him. 

Property management is also in place. 

Depends on the town’s rules, though, so check that first.Renovation Loophole: Some places let you raise rents or get out of rent control if you do big renovations.

Plus I need to leave my folks' place at some point lol.

--reach out and thank them upon getting the booking and ask if they have any questions--send a "Welcome" email or automated message during the week prior to arrival--reach out the day after arrival to ask how everything was the first night and ask if there is anything that the property needs--reach out at the end of the stay (that morning or within 24 hours) and ask how everything was, anything to improve, anything to add to the house and then offer an incentive for returning guests.My 2 cents,Mike Absolutely stay in your place as Mike said.You will see things the cleaners will never let you know about.We stayed in our PF will putting up the Christmas decorations and found a cracked plastic shelf in the fridge. 

If you don't have enough money for 3.5% down, find a cheaper place to live and work hard to save up money.

Hey BiggerPockets Community,I’m working with an organization that’s aiming to address affordable housing in a way that leverages time as a primary tool.