First-Time Investor in Orlando, FL Seeking Creative Financing Opportunities & Connect

[Mahin Saleah]

Hi everyone,

I’m a first-time homebuyer and aspiring real estate investor based in Orlando, FL. I’m currently exploring opportunities to acquire my first rental property using creative financing strategies—such as owner financing, rent-to-own, or value-add approaches like BRRRR or house hacking.

My goal is to get started with minimal upfront costs by leveraging smart deal structures and hands-on value creation. As I continue learning the ropes, I’d greatly appreciate insights and connections from:

• Private or hard money lenders open to working with first-time investors
• Experienced investors who have successfully completed no- or low-money-down deals
• Anyone familiar with the Orlando rental market or local down payment assistance programs

I’m highly motivated, proactive, and currently scouting properties across the greater Orlando area. If you’re open to connecting, offering advice, or possibly partnering on a deal, I’d love to hear from you.

Thanks in advance—excited to grow and contribute within this amazing community!

[Tyler Gibson]

Quote from @Mahin Saleah:

Hi everyone,

I'm a first-time homebuyer and aspiring real estate investor based in Orlando, FL. I'm currently exploring opportunities to acquire my first rental property using creative financing strategies—such as owner financing, rent-to-own, or value-add approaches like BRRRR or house hacking.

My goal is to get started with minimal upfront costs by leveraging smart deal structures and hands-on value creation. As I continue learning the ropes, I’d greatly appreciate insights and connections from:

• Private or hard money lenders open to working with first-time investors
• Experienced investors who have successfully completed no- or low-money-down deals
• Anyone familiar with the Orlando rental market or local down payment assistance programs

I’m highly motivated, proactive, and currently scouting properties across the greater Orlando area. If you’re open to connecting, offering advice, or possibly partnering on a deal, I’d love to hear from you.

Thanks in advance—excited to grow and contribute within this amazing community!

 Congrats on getting started! This first post is a great first step. As a local real estate investor and agent, I can tell you that the path of least resistance to get started right away is almost certainly house hacking.

You can also mix in value add projects into the house hacking strategy by leveraging renovation loans like an FHA 203k program. With this type of loan program you can buy a fixer upper and finance the costs of renovations that may need to be done. There's conventional products as well but FHA 203k allows you to do 3.5% down and with FHA 203k you can borrow up to 110% of the after repair value.

With a low down payment product and a savvy real Estate agent to negotiate seller paid closing costs. You have a good opportunity to get into a product. Little to no money down. 

Finding seller financing options are going to be very challenging and even when you do, most sellers are going to want a larger down payment than 3.5%. there's lots of risk and loaning money to somebody you don't know and taking larger down payments mitigates that risk. I don't say this to discourage you from the strategy but I have and do help sellers structure, seller financing and we almost always start the negotiations by asking for 20% down so that the buyer has enough skin in the game. They're not going to default on the loan and give up all that equity. 

As you're looking to get started, I would highly suggest you get involved in some local real estate meetups. There are some great ones run by multiple people. My partner and I host an event the first Saturday of each month at the Winter Park community center. Our next event is June 7th. We'll have some gentleman that have successfully completed a 128 unit apartment syndication deal going full cycle and will be sharing with us lessons learned. You can find the event on Meetup just look for "My REI local"