A friend of mine and her husband are working on a deal to combine an event venue and it will double as a film studio because they help produce a lot of films in Georgia.

@Louis Hamilton,If a HELOC doesn’t work, you might consider these options:1.

Several of the contractors offer helical piers but don’t seem to think they’d be a more cost effective option - we can directly ask about this again.  

The more cash on hand the more options.

We’ve found a great option for us in Tennessee with a cabin (currently used as a str) and a mobile home.

FHA gets a bad rap because sellers and many agents think it's only for people who don't have the money so if I had 20 percent, but wanted to use FHA, I would present a proof of funds with my offer showing I have more money, but am using the FHA as a financial option so I can get an investment property as well somewhere else.

There are better options that don't have minimums.

I don't see it as an issue but many still do, at least in my small town where the majority of renters are elderly people looking for low maintenance housing options.

@Rene Hosman all good options! 

I'm an investor and mortgage broker and have options for loans that go as low as $75,000 and down payments as low as 15%, which makes it easier to stay above $75,000.