After that though, I will either need to put down 20% on rentals or find a creative lending solution so I don't have to.

That lending tree commercial about you sitting in your underwear and getting the banks to compete for you is real. 

It is funny you would say roof or deck but that wood is actually the floor inside, with a tree growing in the middle.

Solutions, motivation, tips, lessons learned, helpful tools to use or anything?

Landlocked property has an easement over a 1/4-acre ell in the neighboring property that otherwise blocks the property from the road and is largely (desirably, for privacy/noise) covered in trees. 

When I last looked into this, no one offered such a solution. 

Was just curious if househacking would be a solution. 

No of course not. 1 deal is better than no deal.. even if I make 4 deals from your direct mail campaign while you just make one deal ^_^Solution... in order to make it in this business you can't be a mere sheep, following the masses, doing what everyone is doing.

However, you need a solution for when they don't (and let's hope you never have to use it). 

Repairs- I don’t see any other solutions here than having a bunch of handy men I can call with repair requests.