You could take your car title to your bank and request a 50% equity loan of the car or whatever is affordable for a monthly rate for you and build your credit that way.

I was just doing some research on Cleveland since im looking for cash flow and the prices are affordable  in that area.

Duplex 2 is a newer build(2009), more expensive(189K), but we can only afford 20% down.

-A prequalification happens when you provide financial data and, in return, you get an idea of how much you can afford.

Then they qualify your income if you can afford the home.  

Price points are very affordable here, rents are decent, however population decline has been steady as well as a lack of good paying available jobs in the area.

Purchase an investment property in a more affordable market.

I'm hoping to get either a 2b/2b condo/townhouse because that's all I can afford and rent out one of the rooms.Assuming I could afford the 20% down for a conventional mortgage, would it be smarter financially and investment-wise to try and put as less cash as possible and pay PMI or go the traditional route and pay 20% or more?

Also afraid we won’t ever be able to afford another place with the way property has shot through the roof here.  

Its what ever you feel right doing and can afford to do..