When you're weighing investment options, think about things like employment growth, rental needs, empty property rates, and property taxes.

It'll be tough to get into a pure investment in your area for 35k but here are a few options:- partner on the second deal- if the numbers make sense and you could get more cashflow then you could look at a higher price point but my guess is this will be difficult to find- Buy your first property as planned, and save the 35k as reserves and/or just keep it for the next down payment on another FHA after a year- find a place that needs some work where you can use that money to fix up and force appreciation to the propertyPersonally, I would look at those last 2 options where you have the cash on hand ready to deploy for the next down payment or rehab costs if needed.

Failure to complete the transaction forfeits the $20,000 option fee. 

I still need to weigh out my options. 

Thanks for mentioning Easy Street - I'm always looking at and for more options.

Does anyone know which rent to own company is best for this option?

I like Stessa with how it sets up separate bank accounts per each my properties I don't like that it doesn't give the option to have like maintenance request or repairs from the tenants.

Fractional investing options include real estate crowdfunding platforms like Arrived and Ark7, or real estate syndications for potentially higher returns.

Here's an article explaining some of the options you may run into: https://streeteasy.com/blog/nyc-real-estate-agent-splits-com...

It also has an unusually high concentration of 2-4 family multi-family options to make your dollar go a little further, if a duplex or fourplex is your cup of tea.