With our low inventory, even those who do qualify have a difficult time finding an acceptable house. 

Susan Winderman my bank offers a construction loan for investors, it's a conventional loan it includes rehab costs as well.

I used a 5% down conventional loan to purchase a double in the 14216 Buffalo area.  

Loans for such small amounts are generally not available, at least not from conventional lenders.  

Not to mention, in hurricane climates and seismic, container structure provide extremely additional structural support compared to conventional stick build.

Prices will reflect that, but buying dirt cheap means selling dirt cheap in a small town that isn't "related" to a larger market.Study real estate basics, location, market influences, inventory turn over, economic factors that effect value.

You can in Theory with "My community" conventional programs from fannie mae with as low as 5% down however, the issue is no mortgage insurance company I've been able to find has been willing to insure the loan.

I'm a Realtor over in Bedford NH, although I'm not licensed in MA or I'd love to show you multis in Haverhill.Although @Ryan Gillette mentioned about using an FHA 3.5 versus a conventional loan, be careful and check with your lender. 

despite the building inventory in some of SoCal there are other areas where building permits are nearly non-existent.

Unless I sell first conventional financing is out.