Are there any alternatives to buying my home? 

It's all great advice above, but I wanted to add a recommendation that I don't see as often: don't go cheap on your washer and dryer.Nobody wants to work 12+ hours and then go home and fight a tiny washer and a slow dryer.

We also sublet our own personal home that we own. 

I am trying to leverage my home's equity to access investment funds but I've run into a road block.

But they typically abscond with the rest, squandering it on personal expenses or high-flying life styles.COMMENT: This is common for any type of fraud.They may also use some of the proceeds to support an elaborate "Ponzi" scheme in which money coming in from the sale of new notes pays the interest on older notes.

In a case like this often the brokerage/agents get a cut of that EMD that you would typically forfeit.

So we are looking at purchasing a home (new primary residence) but we will be leasing back to the current owner for 120-150 days as the current build they are working on is being finished.I was told if I apply for a mortgage and disclose that it will not be my primary residence outside of 60 days from the point of contract that it will require a larger down payment and a higher interest rate.

Here in San Antonio we are perfecting systems for doing un-accompanied (no agent present), vacant home showings.  

I'm asking if "you all" feel the fees (especially the brokers fee) seems fair/typical and if not, what would a typical, fair amount be?

I'm Devin Coleman from western NC, Im looking to get my feet wet in the game and get me a home to flip.