I'm expecting to do a traditional 20% down mortgage (and looking to do seller financing for the 20% down) but am open to other options including a VA loan or a more "creative" option.- The seller has 2 duplexes that appear identical in Columbia county between Madison and Lake Wisconsin.- The pro forma rent is listed for $975 / month (estimated from gross income).- Each unit is 3BR / 2BA,1200 square feet.  

Either way, if I am building wealth primarily in my 401(k) and perhaps in home equity, I am doing it way wrong IF I aspire to financial freedom at an age materially younger than traditional retirement age.If I were a typical American, interested in early financial freedom, I might well contribute to a 401(k), take the match, and defer my taxes.

Hey @Kris Lawhead, a tip I picked up on BP podcasts was that if you only hold the note vs you and wife (if married), then you can get more loans....traditionally only allowed 4/person....if get them separately you can get 8 collectively. 

Would it ever make sense to seek traditional bank financing (assuming the property is financable), use a portion of your HELOC for a down payment and rehab expense.

@Stephen Akindona.That might the best "turnkey vs. traditional" investing reply I have ever seen.  

Speaking as a Norwegian who invest in both Norway and in the USA, I can give you some information on this topic.It is very unlikely that you will get a traditional mortgage in USA until you have a credit history for them to analyze.

Just google for Flat Fee MLS Listing and you should get at least a couple of good licensed Brokers that charge a flat fee ($99 to $500 depending on the company) to just list the property in the MLS for you (you must offer compensation to the buyer's agent though ... traditionally 3% but it is up to you to decide what is your best strategy - this becomes part of your marketing mix). 

Maybe buy-and-hold the next ones.Also another creative house-hacking idea is instead of renting out the other rooms the traditional way, rent them through Airbnb.

Google it.My understanding is that they can provide traditional  title insurance right away.

We would probably tear it down and build a traditional home on the same basement or sell it to be moved.