With my last (2 years ago), I had to take an alternative exit strategy to avoid a loss.

Alternatively, some purchasers want to control the process in return for more certainty.For a non-delegated correspondent loan, the loan purchaser will get involved and direct all processing decisions.

Rooming houses dwindled in numbers, and zoning regulations took out the rest.Now apartments in popular suburbs are as expensive as in center cities, and for people of even moderate means their own apartment or house may not be realistic financially.  

Despite popular option the fed nor a president has direct control over long term interest rates.

Hard money loans are popular for covering both purchase and renovation costs, though they come with higher interest rates.

There are alternatives note investors have and thats new origination's where of course you will have some bummers but your not starting out with a defaulted borrower at the get go.

If anyone found an alternative that you're happy with, I'd really love to hear about it!

Do you think that taking bigger risks may have alternatively landed you in a dark and cold place?

I would look at wisp as an alternative comparison when talking to realtors. 

Alternatively, there are high-yield online savings accounts like Marcus or others - the difference is that banks have some inherent risk, thus the FDIC insurance.