If a local bank doesn't help you, there are numerous brokers out there willing to lend on a distressed property and then, once the property is stabilized, do long term financing on it; all with no income verification and no prior track record.Best of luckStephanie

Or hardening rentals from the elements to decrease utility cost?

@Vante'e Keena with flipping there are numerous avenues. 

I know this because I'm the developer's engineer for numerous ones including a 600 AC master planned community. 

I think house hacking a duplex in midtown/downtown can be possible, but the success stories I have heard included some element of creativity, luck, and/or rehab.. i.e. things like the property had a basement, or there was a surprise extra 500 SF not in the listing (so property was suddenly discounted in price and a new room could be added), etc.  

While the site function is very different the overall framework is similar with numerous large buildings on a large tract with multiple companies leasing storage and delivering from the same location.

However, I worked very hard to form those relationships and had numerous setbacks and hardships finding the right people.

Added Hulu to this as well.2) We have a normal coffee pot with grounds, and we also get local coffee beans and a grinder for a unique element.

Search the forums and you will find the numerous posts of out of town investors picking up those properties and not find success.  

This is of course, as I do my do-diligence and educate myself in numerous ways on my own, so that I am not totally in the dark when making appropriate conversation.But what comes up time and time again is the idea of "Finding a Mentor".