It was proved to you that a HELOC and conventional mortgage compound interest at a similar rate.

Typically you aren't buying a fixer upper with a conventional loan.

This is what I am encountering, in the current Mortgage Industry.If you think you will go FHA, Conventional, FHA 203k, etc. and then Quit Claim the property, to a Corporate Entity, or a Land Trust you run the risk of the lender discovering a Title Transfer occurred and activating the "Acceleration Clause" or "Due on Sale Clause" that requires the loan to be paid in full, within 'x' number of days.

You may also put 5% down on a conventional loan with no self-sufficiency requirement. 

Conventional non-owner occupied loan. 20% down.What was the outcome?

@Nick Cooper you can buy with as little as 15% down on a single unit property with conventional financing.

@Tyler Kesling  Adding to the above great points, start with 2-4 units as it's standard conventional financing.  5+ units is commercial and somewhat of a different ballgame.   

Research neighborhoods near colleges, government offices, and hospitals, explore FHA loans, conventional loans, house hacking strategies, and connect with local investors.Good luck!

I recently bought my first investment property with a conventional loan, but the lack of W2s and living overseas made it a bigger hassle.

Conventional financing How did you add value to the deal?