The biggest reason I have not invested in the last few years is because Im stationed in Hawaii, and did not know enough early on to find creative ways to get into real estate investing.

From what I have gotten to learn about you, your success has less to do with your zip codes and more to do with your hustle and your creativity.

See this is why I love posting in BP, not just to vent but to get perspectives and other creative solutions to our issues...

2) Are there ways to creatively and expeditiously grow capital for FTHB that wont require me to resort to a diet of rice and beans and lifestyle of coupon clipping for the nest 24 months?

I also work in corporate America .

If it's the former, your house will most likely not appraise, but if it's the latter, you might be able to come up with some creative solutions.For example, perhaps you can do a "rent to own," where you apply some of her rent towards a down payment.

Get owner/creative financing and you won't need a bank at all.

I know that there are probably a number of other creative plans that could benefit the both of us.  

I'm In the process of learning about all the creative ways to wholesale and it's very interesting and exciting!

I'm wondering, are you suggesting that I should either pay the funding fee out of pocket or adjust my asking price to incorporate the fee on the loan?