One area that we need to learn more about, that I'm sure many here are asking about, is how to find sources of private funding.

I have been told that if you don't have MLS access that redfin is the best source of information for comps.

I don't have to source large deposits for a pesky lender's underwriter!!"

Your husbands profession should be the source of all the private money you will need. 

Craig's list is a great source of info for rental pricing in Federal Hill.  

The best source of private money is your own networking efforts.

Even absentee with vacant house (Chris Clothier find motivated sellers now service) gets very low motivation.What is the source of your list's motivation to be such eager sellers?

(they will see this easily on your bank account statement) When I say you need to save up for the 3.5%, you really need to save it or get it in the form of an approved source for FHA downpayment assistance.

Folks,It is possible to build a Passivhaus compliant home (energy consumption <=15kWh/m^2 per annum) using off the shelf materials with a marginal increase in construction costs (~10-15% ... less as the workforce becomes more skilled).Primary heating and cooling of such a home can be accomplished via the ERV/HRV system with a small auxiliary heating source (there's a house here that has a 1500w auxiliary coil to provide additional heat to the fresh air supply during the coldest part of winter ... that's essentially replacing your furnace with a hair dryer).Even a near-Passivhaus construction (or retrofit) can lower energy costs 70% or more in comparison to the conventional (or even R2000) house being built in Canada these days.  

Deal sourcing and motivated seller lead generation could work if you can devote a little regular time to it.