You're navigating a unique hybrid opportunity with this VA assumption + gap financing model, so let's walk through the best options to minimize your out-of-pocket (OOP) while protecting long-term upside.Strategy: Blend of Negotiation, Creative Financing & Leverage1.

Quote from @Matthew Schumacher: Absolutely love this post — solid overview of strategies that can really move the needle when you’re being intentional about growing your real estate portfolio and minimizing taxes.Here are a few other approaches we've seen clients lean into, or that we're actively exploring:Bonus Depreciation + Cost SegregationWhen used together, these two can create some serious tax savings.

Adjust your questions as needed, and if they check all the boxes, you’ve likely found the right partner.By following this process, you’ll build a team that minimizes your time and risk and maximizes your returns.Let me know if you would like any details for the above.

The plan is:Close with a hard money loan—interest-only, 6–12 months.Then refinance into a DSCR loan once we season it or get a new appraisal up to $75K, allowing us to ideally cash-out or at least refinance the full amount.Here’s our challenge:We want to put as little money down as possible—ideally 0%—or structure it creatively with gap funding, seller-held second, or any other method that makes sense.Our Questions:✅ Has anyone pulled off a hard money loan with 0% or minimal down on a deal like this?

The plan is:Close with a hard money loan—interest-only, 6–12 months.Then refinance into a DSCR loan once we season it or get a new appraisal up to $75K, allowing us to ideally cash-out or at least refinance the full amount.Here’s our challenge:We want to put as little money down as possible—ideally 0%—or structure it creatively with gap funding, seller-held second, or any other method that makes sense.Our Questions:✅ Has anyone pulled off a hard money loan with 0% or minimal down on a deal like this?

The plan is:Close with a hard money loan—interest-only, 6–12 months.Then refinance into a DSCR loan once we season it or get a new appraisal up to $75K, allowing us to ideally cash-out or at least refinance the full amount.Here’s our challenge:We want to put as little money down as possible—ideally 0%—or structure it creatively with gap funding, seller-held second, or any other method that makes sense.Our Questions:✅ Has anyone pulled off a hard money loan with 0% or minimal down on a deal like this?

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.

I did this with minimal knowledge so there was a large dose of luck and timing, lots of hard work. 

But accessing cash through debt with no or minimal cash flow is a recipe for bad things.

My goal is to minimize upfront cash outlay by leveraging financing through a lender or potentially partnering with an investor.I would appreciate any recommendations on how to find solid investment deals and tips on how to approach banks or lenders specifically for this type of strategy.