If your friends aren’t tired of hearing you asking, then you haven’t asked enough.

An FHA loan should be more flexible with your debt to income ratio and will allow you the lowest possible down payment on multi family property. (2 - 4 units) If you are still running into a wall after that I would look at either seller financing as mentioned above or find a deal so good that friends and family want in on it.

I’m going to go with the friendly approach :)

Good morning Biggerpockets!My wife and I have just moved here from Savannah and would like to start buying rentals (preferably multi-family).  We do not know the market very well so your help is greatly appreciated. T...

Or at minimum people you might network with on a friend-of-a-friend basis. 

I am living upstairs in the loft, both bedrooms are rented to longtime friends who have been extremely reliable, tidy, and all-in-all great roommates.

I am living upstairs in the loft, both bedrooms are rented to longtime friends who have been extremely reliable, tidy, and all-in-all great roommates.

I am living upstairs in the loft, both bedrooms are rented to longtime friends who have been extremely reliable, tidy, and all-in-all great roommates.

I am living upstairs in the loft, both bedrooms are rented to longtime friends who have been extremely reliable, tidy, and all-in-all great roommates.

Joe Pate at Pate Appraisals was very prompt and friendly and seemed fair in his inspection of my duplex, discussing things with me afterwards that could affect valuation.