The ground floor level of the building has two restaurants.

It's entertaining to me that people compare things at the state level. 

In more than 20 years with a dozen properties I’ve had  1 - $2700 clothes washer overflow I paid out of pocket and 2 x $30,000 water damage claims.

@Ryan PhelpsI think there’s a level of detail that you’re overlooking that would help clarify your thoughts on #2.

I was wondering whether I can qualify for financing with this level of income?

It is still the #1 best, cheapest, most effective strategy to simply negotiate and work with the tenants on a human level.

We don’t make a lot of money, my wife is still in school to become a nurse so she works part time, and I work at an entry level position at a hospital.

The space contains a short common hallway on the first floor, and continues to the 2nd level staircase (top unit entry door is at the top of stairs).

You will need to show income of at least 2x what your mortgage payment will be, and in that whole process treat it as if it will be your new primary residence (in order to benefit from that sweet LTV level). 

I’m currently grappling with which path / options to take and would love all your thoughts – below I have outlined some context of my situation and options.Context:- Currently own 2 properties – my SFH (which I don’t want to move out of) and a condo that is rented (currently to family members which makes it easier)- Have 150k cash + 150k available from a HELOC at 3.75% -- have more available but this is all I want to allocate to REI right now (I say this so you know I’m not being super stretched investing the 300k)- I’m open to investing locally or remotely within the US – we live on the WC approx. 3hrs from SF- My wife and I work demanding 9-5 jobs – we are open and willing to spend material time on this but cannot make it our full-time roles for at least a couple more yearsOptions – I have outlined these in my perceived level of difficulty, would also love you thoughts on that 1.