Your situation is probably better for seeking out "Non-QM Lenders" or potentially other "Creative Financing" options

It depends on how much capital you have but I recommend either house hacking (3.5% - 5% down) a 2-4 unit property or you'll need 20-25% down for a non-owner occupant purchase which comes with higher rates.I would say house hacking is not an option for me, because I have a family with 2 kids (need good schools). 

We intend to give them the option of moving out or new contract (increased rent to match the market).

The other option is to go into commercial, for example, warehouses.

The only options that I see are rent by the room, mid term, short term, or just putting more money down.

I'm aware of seller financing as a possible option and will be on the lookout, but it certainly dramatically lowers my deal pool in an already incredibly competitive market.

when it comes to the investment side I have chosen to largely remain passive investing in REIT's or other publicly traded options.

To use it, just look under "Build Your Team" - Find a Property Manager - Then you can answer a couple of questions and be presented with options that fit your needs.

This suggests a strong ongoing demand for rental properties, which is critical for the real estate flipping market since it can indicate the ease of renting out or selling renovated properties.Interest in Affordability and Accessibility: Searches for "affordable housing Syracuse NY" and "low income apartments Syracuse NY" are consistent, which aligns with the interest in more affordable and accessible housing options.

I have around $165k in savings, with an option to withdraw $16k from my 401k after taxes and fees.