Class C: Personal loan for 200k, should I use it for multiple down payments, or...?

[Zach Howard]

First of all, feel free to make any and all comments you wish; there's no need to sugarcoat anything. I appreciate almost any feedback where the poster makes a sincere attempt to share their opinion, regardless of what it might be. Thanks.

I really like the idea of using OPM to invest. Here is my current situation - I can probably secure a personal loan for about 200k at around a 3-4% interest rate with a 5-year tenor. Repaying this shouldn't be a problem assuming I don't suddenly lose my job.

I am thinking about starting off in some class C neighborhoods and will be handling everything remotely. Perhaps I'll try to acquire around 3 properties in cash deals that need fixing up, rent them out, and then hold onto them... forever? Based on my previous investing history (completely unrelated to real estate), I would describe myself as a buy-and-hold kind of guy. Hopefully, things will go relatively smoothly with the rehab, vetting tenants, and so on. If the rent stabilizes, I can then consider refinancing these properties using DSCR or other valid options (please educate me, and let me know what other options you think are valid). What are your thoughts on this plan?

Alternatively, do you think it might be better to use the 200k to make down payments on higher-quality homes, i.e., ones that are almost rent-ready, and finance the remainder of those purchases with DSCR, etc.?

I'm entirely new to real estate investing, but I have a high risk appetite because I have seen other people achieve amazing things that many say cannot be done. I often look at them and think if they can do it, probably I can have some level of success too.

Other key info I may have left out above:
1) I am not in the US, and have no plans to visit or move there
2) I am not a US citizen, but possibly have a credit history there (maybe none) since I attended university there many many years ago
3) I am completely new to real estate - I've been reading crazily and consuming lots of content. Next step will be to start analyzing deals for practice and asking others for feedback on my analysis. Once I've done that multiple times and I'm getting positive feedback on my numbers it will be time to begin the real journey. 

Thoughts please. Thanks again.