I rent out my spare bedrooms and it allows to increase my rental income by about 25%I did but I don't think it's feasible for me.

A year or 2 it was more feasible to get something decent for under $100K in some of the more affordable markets, but even those markets are now over $100K.

I'm looking to do an owner occ for my first deal because this is the most feasible way for me to take my first step in REI. 

They should be able to give you what is feasible with what you have. 

It is totally feasible for you to self manage, even if you're just getting started.

I'm in a similar situation but need more inputs to figure out if it is feasible for me.

Now, if you do become lenient due to credit score or past rental history because they gave you a feasible explanation, then make sure they have some stake in it.

This can significantly reduce your living expenses and help you gain experience as a landlord.Other Investing Options: If house hacking isn't feasible, consider looking into traditional rentals, and fix-and-flips.General Advice:- Research: Deeply research any area before investing.

They’re still pretty affordable but I’m just not sure how feasible it is to get a bunch of tenants for $1000-1200 per month in that location because much of the time once the locals have that much income they either buy a house or move somewhere else.

To prevent any future misunderstandings, simply inform them that paying upfront for an extended period is not feasible.