There will be pros & cons with low-down payment programs (FHA, 5% down conventional, NACA) so you just want to pick the best fit for you.

And is that where your also planning to invest?

Using a conventional loan, you shouldn't use hard money until you gain some experience and know you'll be able to refinance swiftly.If you have some experience and want to do a BRRRR, you should interview multiple GCs, see their results, and pick the one that fits best. 

However, if you plan to do a furnished rental, then I think month-to-month may be more common.

@Joseph MuleroTo boost your rent plan and make more money in the medium-length rent market, think about these steps: slowly add furniture to the new place while you stay in your current home, pick cheap furniture, use a credit card with good terms, look into loan options like personal loans or home equity credit lines, try out the market by listing the place with few furniture pieces, aim for easy-to-change furniture for flexibility, and talk to pros like real estate agents or home decorators.

It wasn’t a fit and as unfortunate as that may be, it does happen.

SDIRA is retirement and fits into our 10-15 year.

I plan on living on one side of the the duplex.

I am not currently planning to buy additional real estate.

A DSCR, or hard money product would be the right fit for you.