Texas is pretty quick to foreclose and should only cost you about 2k for the attorney.Once you take the property back, get another down payment, but make sure you qualify the buyer with an RMLO.

I'm currently house hacking and trying to get my first non-owner occupied rental.

I am seeking ways to get back past rent payments.

Thanks Nathan, I've began looking at non section 8 tenants and am finding great options!

I’m in the PAYE repayment program where your payment is based on your income.

As a general rule of thumb, I usually strive to keep about 2-3 months of mortgage payment reserves. 

This is the best way to do it in my opinion as your payment is lower and there is no PMI. 

Was never 100 percent sure if you could or not, but can you theoretically house hack a commercial property (such as an apartment building) in order to get the low down payment? 

You can put those things in any non-sterile environment and they will be covered in all sorts of yucky stuff in a week. 

I depend on another department as well for answers and I too have to wait," and then asked if I would "be open to an installment of a partial payment?