They do a drive by appraisal, and if the numbers work out, they fund the purchase plus rehab cost up to 80% of the ARV.

I simply think that a few years on W2 will prepare you better for later and you'll also have a fallback position in case things don't work out.

I live and work out of  the country.

But I did it to very qualified borrowers needing to fix credit or to decide if a corporate transfer was going to work out. 

If numbers don't work out, just walk away, does not matter if I want to buy and hold or not.  

(Laws do not require tenants to disclose ESAs or service animals when applying for housing).Once you have proof (preferably in writing) that you're accepted into the rental home (and not denied for other, legal, reasons), send the landlord a letter saying that you have an ESA, with your documentation.If, at that point, you are denied, you could take a number of steps: file a complaint with Fair Housing, file a complaint with your local government, write a letter asking for the reason for the denial (the landlord doesn't have to give you one, but it's helpful to understand their reasoning if they are willing to give you a reason for denial).Generally, it helps to tell the landlord that you have an ESA or service animal before you move in, so that if they have a legitimate reason to deny your ESA (listed above), then you can work out those reasons before you are relying on them to provide you with housing."

@Scott Simpson, it's all about the numbers, but a 4-plex is far more likely to work out.

:-DIt will all work out well.

As long as the numbers work and you are realistic on your costs and amount you can rent it for it could work out great.  

I think it’s definitely doable, but it does require a little more research, a good group of people you’re working with, the numbers to work out (duh) as well. :)