Talk to a traditional lender and see what you can afford then go from there.

If you can qualify for a traditional loan get pre-approved first. 

@Felicia Richardson I just went through the FHA duplex purchase process (closed about a week ago) and if you work with a lender experienced in FHA's it's not that difficult, really doesn't take much longer than a traditional mortgage.

If you are going with a traditional bank, your best bet is a smaller regional bank. 

Any reason why you would not start a new traditional loan.

I am familiar with the Brrrr strategy however most often times people talk of buying with low or traditional down payment as opposed to buying the property and doing all the rehab with cash.Anyone have some examples of why you would or wouldn't want to do this?

I have done five deals so far using my own money or traditional financing. 

@Nathan PlatterMy {limited} understanding is that the Canadian RRSP does allow for certain non-traditional investments such as real estate and mortgage notes. 

Traditionally, there was a 2 person per bedroom rule. 

Seems out east in the upstate New York, Pennsylvania and Connecticut area there are alot of 4-6 plexs that I can purchase for $50-75k that need $75k worth of work but average apartment rents in the areas are 1k per unit per month when rented.I would like to find an investor that will lend me the $150k upfront so I can purchase and remodel the property and when fully rented get traditional funding for the property.