I had a real estate agent say that FHA loans can't be used to finance duplexes because of something called "owner occupancy" and that you don't occupy the full property, you only occupy half of it -- they also say they haven't done an FHA loan on a multi-family property. 

If you can't do the standard 20% for rentals, look at duplexes where you will live in half and rent the other half. 

There's no way similar properties in similar areas have a half million dollar spread between them.

The letter attached to the invoice stated that she would be responsible for half the cost of fixing the garage door because another resident also damaged the door (they did not provide the other residents’ information). 

You COC will be cut in half with a minor 10% change... bet on that 10% change lol.Rentals and all investing like this is best done with a 5 year window and then working backwards, much less would need to happen for this to be a "good deal" in five years so on rentals I go with that and the 10k will be nothing. 

If your new to real estate, one of the easiest ways to get involve is through house hacking.  

Sure if you find the unicorn property that you get for half of what it's worth you might find a hard money lender to help you purchase.

I have helped one client find an existing STR, and the easiest way to do so is to do a key word search in your MLS for "furniture".

I have about half that in the bank.

It could start with writing 3-10 things you know you need to do, then do the easiest one first so you have a win and see if you want to do some more.