So my cousin/partner and I are both Real Estate Agents here in Southern California and we are currently looking for our first house hack. We are kind of out of idea's so I hope someone who a fresh mind can maybe point something out we aren't seeing or maybe share a similar story. His name is Mel for the purpose of listing out our situations

Here are some of the realities of our situation:

• Mel has a lower FICO (610-620 I believe)
• My FICO score is higher (770)
• Mel has a W2 paying job where he is salaried
• I am a 1099 with two separate companies (Independent Contractor)
• Mel has been FHA approved up to $300k
• I have not because I don't have a "steady income" even though my income is higher than average, they don't like the fact that it is inconsistent because I am not salaried.
• We currently live in Orange County
• Looking in Pomona (LA County) and Riverside County for property because anywhere else $300k is unrealistic to find a multi or a SFR to flip.

Now if you've come this far and read all that.... I love you and appreciate you for reading it haha.

So given the current situation we're in all, realistically all that we can do is find a SFR live and flip situation that we occupy for a year and resell as an exit strategy.

If you have anything to add even if you don't think its helpful please post it anyway because maybe it'll get our brains stirring in some way.