Conventional financing might still be an option, depending on your credit score and income, but will require at least 15% down on the purchase price and your credit score needs to be 640+. 

At least, this is the common conventional wisdom here on BP. 

You can browse inventory and list it yourself.

It is a possible way around conventional financing that would allow you to purchase an investment property earlier than could had been done before. 

I'm in the process of researching mortgage options: MassHousing, FHA loan or conventional loan.

Eventually, I'm going to want to buy and home of my own.....will I have to get an conventional loan?

@Duke VangYou wont be able to get a FHA or conventional loan until you can show 2 years of income.

Wondering how typical rates compare between HELOC, Home Eq Loan, and a conventional loan for income property? 

I have come up with two ideas but I still don't know if they are better alternatives than a non-contingent conventional financing offer. 

I'm open to flips as well, but I have a much stricter criteria for that type of investment to be considered.I've been actively looking at a number of foreclosures, and an issue that I've run into is conventionally financing one of these properties.