Another way to start is to find a deal and get sweat equity for doing all the work, while other investors put the money.

Sweat equity paid off nicely, we owe $100K on it and it appraised in 2015 for $211K, not sure where its gone since then.

Lots of sweat equity to get there though!

Can you find a way to put a little sweat equity into the units to increase the rents like the $800 one?

Hello all,I am 2 weeks away from closing on my first home, which I plan to turn into a rental property after living there for about 2 years and putting in some sweat equity.

When we first started we expected that I would bring very little money, all the experience and most of the hands-on sweat equity. 

For example some paint can go a long way and some landscaping if often inexpensive especially if you are doing the sweat equity.

FHA will also require the property to be habitable, so if it won't pass an occupancy inspection or has health and safety concerns that an appraiser will pick up on, they will almost certainly not fund.It's a great strategy for investing with minimal cash out of pocket and capitalizing on your sweat equity. 

Can you do better if you are willing and able to invest sweat equity maybe, but one must look hard at oneself. 

This business like any other business it takes many years, blood and sweat.