I create my own webpages so I only need the raw host, installed cgi programs and email to work. 

Of course the first solution by a bank is "Give me more money" as that is what they are programmed to do in what benefits them the most first.I never do interest only on properties to make debt service work.

I graduated in construction's trades program in 2000. used to work for a construction company for many years. so I knew that I would eventually be buying houses to flip, or sell.

1/7/2016  Wesley - thanks for the post and  creating some good thinking ..... if you are desiring to  purchase a  primary home ....its  likely to not  get any less expensive in the  future ....so if you are waiting for  prices to come down - this might be a long wait .....if  you buy a condo  and  want to use a FHA loan  to minimize the  down payment - be aware that  the condo complex will need to be FHA approved  ( not many are any longer ) ...that being said there are  some conventional loan programs  that allow as little as 3% down . 

By the way, there are programs I think you're aware of where the bank does a 100% loan to the buyer.  

From Marketplace last month:http://www.marketplace.org/2015/12/01/wealth-poverty/long-wait-section-8I am interested to hear if anyone has experience with municipalities that offer better assistance to landlords and rehabbers who intend to rent to tenants in the Section 8 program? 

There are ways to eliminate surfaces that a child could bite such as capping the baseboards with a piece of half round.Since you are in Massachusetts if the home has National Grid or Eversource there are incentives to insulate the home through the Mass Save program.

I have a program for the DFW area, but have nothing for Indy.Mark

As to the original question, TSP is a great program with lots to offer.

@Andrew Wong As far as I know, the bank will require it if they find you are in the flood zone during their underwriting process.Otherwise you can check http://www.fema.gov/national-flood-insurance-program-flood-hazard-mappingThe government's mapping shows if your parcel lands in a floodplain.