I have learned that the first step on any investment route is the first step.

Otherwise, regular conventional loans will be 25% down for 4 units.

I'm hoping we can make this a regular event.

Just save up for your next down payment on a regular loan after getting an FHA.

I just skimmed your post, but it seems like you're asking for options to get started now, while bank/regular lenders want to wait until you have 24 months on the job (which is common by the way).Since you're so close, at 18 months, I'd say you should line up private/hard money just in case you come across any great deals, then when you qualify for bank financing you can refinance out the private/hard money loan with conventional financing.I frequently do this with properties, using private $ to buy a good deal quickly, then 6-12 months down the road (after I stabilize the property and give a good return to my lenders) I'll refinance with a regular bank loan.

Sometimes, it's more expensive to save money, and some of these guys will do anything just to get a regular collection.

Its a short sale--but it was listed on the MLS as a regular sale--and we made an offer on it thinking it was a regular sale.

I started reading up on owner-occupied or "house-hack" properties and decided to go down that route to build equity in the property while also lowering my own rent so to speak.

Fixed Interest Heloc (no crazy closing costs from my experience w my primary).My questions:  What route would you go with?

Option 1 is a 3.625% interest rate over 30 years  which would make my monthly payment around $921 and my closing costs would be $4,276 since they would be giving me a credit for the higher interest rate.Option 2 is 3.5% interest rate with a monthly payment of around $913 and closing costs of $4,876 without the credit.My question is which route should I go?