There are some out there that have really mastered the "how can I afford it" principal.It would be fun to hear from you seasoned and salty investors out there some of the best ways you've "creatively financed" a deal. 

We are ranked in the top 15 for most affordable places to live and recently we have grown to be the biggest city in Alabama by population.

These guys know every trick in the book...I would say if you can't afford that extra 20% then you shouldn't be doing what you're doing.....unless as Account Closed said, it's a very small job, or you have some experience in the field.

There is a large possibility we might want to sell our home within the next year for a very large profit, but doing so would put us in the very tough position of finding an affordable home (less than $350K) here in the Boise area.

In other regions of the country where more affordable new homes have been built in the past decade I would agree with you that new might be better for beginners.

Just work a job and save your pennies until you can afford to buy. 

That should give you a sense of what areas you can afford and if the numbers make sense. 

I use them as needed and find them affordable and effective, haven't lost one yet!

Question 3 - i don't need her to make monthly payments (i can afford it) should I just assign her an equity% in exchange for co-signing?

Question 3 - i don't need her to make monthly payments (i can afford it) should I just assign her an equity% in exchange for co-signing?