If your going this route I suggest you do not keep it as its your primary residence as you cans ell it and keep all the gains tax free as long as you meet the IRS requirements ( talk to your accountant ).A second alternative is finding a duplex - 4 plex and living in one while renting out the others.

Alternatively, check the "Network" tab to find a provider and don't limit your search to your local area.

Extended stay hotels are also picking up new customers who are staying for shorter periods and now see the properties as an alternative to traditional hotels.

Refacing cabinets is a good alternative to just painting and hardware if you want to really change the look.

Alternatively if you're sophisticated with brokerage connections you could put that chunk down for a larger 10-14 unit apartment building.

.#3 Mix it up with some other investors at REIA meetings in your area and see if they have alternatives to the 20%. 

An Alternative Approach to Appraisal Gap Coverage Current State of the Residential MarketAfter the financial crisis of ’08, the eligibility criteria to buy a home in the United States became more difficult to adhere to, while the astronomical rise of student debt and the cost of healthcare acted as catalysts in the continuously mounting wealth disparity in our country.

Alternatively, you can do that with Hard Money - though the fees are a lot higher that way.Yes it's more risky than a loan-contingency, in the sense that you may not get the mortgage after you bought it -- but we've done this multiple times, we have a good relationship with our mortgage lender, and actually have a number of lenders now who can help us with this.

However, they can certainly choose to be more lenient than a conventional lender would be so it can be a good alternative route to financing.

I am looking for alternatives/offline marketing ideas, like banners, bus stop signs, person on corner twirling a sign etc.What is something you currently do or have seen done "offline"  to drive residents to your property?