Not all lenders require investment experience, but you may be asked to show 12 months of rent payments.

EARNEST MONEY: In the event of a dispute between the Seller and Buyer regarding the disbursement of this earnest money, the broker is required by Ohio law to maintain such funds in the broker’s trust account until the broker received (a) written instructions signed by the parties specifying how the earnest money is to be disbursed or (b) a final court order that specifies to whom the earnest money is to be awarded.

That value, if owned for more than 6 months, can be used as the down payment for a loan.

. $140 equity in our primary residence that we’d be open to getting a HELOC on (would love feedback on if people recommend this or not).Given our limited available resources for down payment, high home prices, and higher interest rates, is now a bad time for first time investors to enter the market?

HOWEVER, you pay a higher rate to do that, you are obviously financing more which also increases your payment.

I also read that a proper structure must be followed to defend future assets like trusts under LLC, etc, because there are many assets hunters going for your properties and looking to sue you. 

I would buy bank/foreclosed/tax liens. maybe put down 5-20% down payment on a 4 unit. 

Basically I need something that's the best of both worlds since I have 0 build experience but also don't have the huge up front down payment of over $150k for the build.

They CAN NOT foreclose if you stop making payments, In a Wrap There is safety for the seller.

Just a couple of names of the dozens - maybe hundreds - that I trust on here whenever I read their posts.