The sky’s the limit, however, depending on the sophistication and the amount of due diligence help you request. 

These borrowers are typically out of the market for extended periods of time, have limited contacts in the debt world, lack understanding of how different loan programs work, and are susceptible to working with the one bank / credit union loan officer that they know through their family, friends, church group, college, etc.

Finding the fixtures you want installed at the hardware store and pricing them is a must.

Just know you will be limited on your financing options going that route. 

Keep in mind the following: 1) If you don't have enough cash for the entire purchase in the TSP rollover to IRA, your financing options would be limited to a non-recourse loan.

House hacking can reduce living expenses but may limit roommates or share space.

I don’t want to limit myself to any investment endeavor if it’s a good fit, but also don’t want to put the time and effort into becoming a real estate agent if there isn't a decent list of pros to doing so while investing.

You can work limited hours in so many different capacities that you want to keep that for longer than you think to keep supplementing more options.

If the lender does not permit this, your attorney and CPA will have limited options.

Even though there is a tenant there now, the association could restrict or limit renters there.