Start by leveraging what you already have—consider tapping into equity through a HELOC, house hacking again with an FHA loan, or increasing cash flow by converting a unit to a short-term rental.

Are you house hacking one of them?

There may be some lenders that might be a little more "borrower friendly", but I haven't found them (nor do I have the time to look for them).You might be able get better terms if you "house hack" by getting an FHA loan, but I don't generally work with those loans.

Starting with house hacking is a smart move, especially in a higher-cost area.

You can get houses at huge discounts and it is a great time to buy for appreciation.

I was able to get a private loan which I used to purchase the house then I used my own money to rehab the house.

Two flats are essentially just houses.... they trade like houses and there is a lot of emotion involved.

A "lake house" might be in a residential zoned area where a commercial use would be prohibited or at least require a variance (approval) to make an exception.

Affordable housing is about the housing itself and the economic environment it is created in.

I have started my investing by doing a bit of house-hacking, renting out my basement, but I am ready to get that first property.