I had this exact conversation with a borrower just a few hours ago, and it surprised us both.

Since you won't be able to recognize it as a valid rental if you're charging under market rent and you also expect to be covering any house expenses that are outside of her budget, this seems the best choice. 

He had no choice but to begin selling off the portfolio.

Ben Franklin used similar advice to turn an enemy into a friend (although his was asking to borrow a book).There are some caveats here, you cannot be wasting time thus you need to demonstrate that you are taking action. 

Prices remain relatively low, but appreciation may be slower.Monroe: A mix of cash flow and appreciation potential, Monroe has become a popular choice for investors, especially in areas where new developments are popping up.Appreciation-Focused NeighborhoodsBallantyne: A well-established area with high demand, Ballantyne offers excellent long-term appreciation potential, though cash flow opportunities may be limited.South End: A booming urban hub with a vibrant retail and restaurant scene.

Hi KyleThe way most real estate for sale is priced these days there’s little to no cash flow after debt service with 25% down - borrowing a down payment would put the investor in a negative monthly position. 

In my experience, these are also referred to as "QM" and "Non-QM" loans ("QM" = Qualifying Mortgage)And as consumer mortgages, these loans are generally issued under the person's name with the underwriting based primarily on the borrower's DTI (Debt to Income) ratio.

Do these borrowers have ITIN's at least?

They completely wasted my time due to lack of knowledge and organization to my file; then changed their offer as if I had no other choice but to take it.

to your point, if you save up so that you're in a strong financial position, house hack a solid duplex in a decent neighborhood, make smart decisions, and hold it indefinitely, you'll be fine.conversely, if you have $0 and somehow start out with a risky flip, or borrow $20K and spend it all on a magic mentoring program, or buy a terrible property in a neighborhood you've never been to, you may not be fine.