I had another idea of her getting a HELOC and use only the necessary for the 20% of the property where we would live together and rent out the house which according to Bigger Pockets' report will be in the low $3K to cover both the mortgage and the HELOC.

Another option is to pay the loan on a 15 year term.

Hello to all Bigger Pockets Pro members.

What value do you intend to provide your customers that those two options don't?

This might be because their credit score is too low or the house needs fixing.Although each lender can make their own rules about how to qualify a borrower and their investment, like needing a certain credit score; I believe that flexibility is the best thing about hard money loans since it provides each individual with vast amount of options.  

I'm exploring alternative financing options and would greatly appreciate insights or experiences in similar scenarios.Key Points:Property Location: Cahokia HeightsPurchase Price: $17,000Rental Income: Approximately $1,500/month via Section 8Condition of Property: Updated plumbing, roof is in good shape, needs AC unit, paint, flooring and cabinets and counter topI'm considering reaching out to private lenders but would like to gather opinions on:Feasibility of securing a mortgage for a low-cost property.Attractiveness of this deal to private lenders.Any creative financing strategies that could be applicable here.Legal and tax implications I should be aware of.Potential risks and how to mitigate them effectively.Any advice, suggestions, or contacts in the private lending space would be immensely helpful.

@Aaron Dixon Welcome to the bay area.Lot's of options and differing areas all within an hour radius.House hacking would be a great way to enter the market here.I'd suggest deciding how far (long) you are willing to commute and narrow your buying / living range accordingly. 

If you have the option to do it for 200 bucks, I'd say that's a good deal. 

Good Morning Katelyn ,Saw your post in the bigger pockets forums about getting things started in real estate.

Hey bigger pockets community I'm a 24 year old new real estate Investor as well as carpenter.