True CRE lenders understand commercial real estate and have very flexible programs that are geared for exactly what you are doing.  

A lot of good programs out there for 1st time buyers and $10K is a nice amount for a property in IL/MO.

You'd be surprised on the types of loan programs out there that might meet your needs.

Is there a really great program or app that doesn't cost very much (keep in mind I only have one rental at the moment and will be growing to 2-5 within a couple years).  

(I can produce a list of pre-forclosure houses in the area I'm marketing to with a program I bought) but in the eventuality that someone picks up the phone and dials me, how then can I be sure that I don't waste my time and money on making sure that the lead is a actually a deal in disguise?

I always say "be wary of people selling you a how to program, because if it was really all that successful, they would be out there doing that instead of selling books and webinars and guides!"

Basically a buyback program minus payments in the event of foreclosure or before foreclosure.

I will be using the GA Dream program (down payment assistance) or a USDA loan to begin my REI journey.

Gutierrez When we're talking about house hacking, I'm assuming you're looking at loan programs that offer the lowest down payments.

Luckily I found a lender who said I could do a conventional loan with 5% down with a program thru Freddy Mac.