Meet with a local banker & schedule a time to talk with a mortgage broker, they'll give you at least a baseline of what kind of down payment options and rates are out there.After that, if you're still wanting to research more creative options, do some looking into seller financing (a very hot topic with good, and bad, advice out there), look into private lenders, and commercial financing options.If you're wanting to live in 1/4 of your quadplex, then conventional residential loans may in fact be your best option as you can purchase that with a fannie/freddy loan with very low down, and use up to 75% of the income from the property toward your own income. 

I'd been working and saving for many years, however, did not feel it was enough.

We're fortunate to have an above-average income and live well below our means.This summer, we’ll be moving to Detroit (PCSing in August), and we’ve saved about $120,000 to invest in addition to having funds set aside for the home we’ll purchase in Detroit.The reason I’m posting is that I’m struggling to decide how to best allocate the $120k.

If you are looking to list the portfolio, the agent could do Loopnet and the MLS.If you are looking for a private sale I have a few investors that I could shop it to, as well some private groups that I am a member of.

--------------------------------------I don't think it prevents you as an owner from initiating the action.Personally, I wouldn't have any moratoriums on private transactions.  

Additionally, I have one savings account for reserves for all my properties, which I add to every month. 

For a truly passive experience you'd probably need to be an investor in private equity deals or be a silent partner on a project.

If the foundation is good, the roof is good, the floors are good, the layout is good, you are probably saving at least $100k right there in labor/materials.The other thing that frequents adds a lot of cost is when the unknown occurs.  

The english version: https://www.imovirtual.com/en/# .You have private and agent postings.Regards, Rui

If you’re looking to connect with private lenders, start by tapping into your existing network—friends, family, and colleagues can often be a great starting point.