Advice regarding turnkey or BRRR for a foreign investor

[James York]

Hi all!

As the topic title suggests, I'm a prospective foreign investor, meaning I don't own any properties yet, but I'm eager to change that! I'm a UK citizen, but live in Japan, so either way it will be long distance REI.

I don't want this to be a turnkey vs BRRRR thread, but I have questions about the pros and cons of both... thanks in advance.

— Turnkey —

I have a decent (for me at least) amount of cash saved up, and looking at turnkey investment opportunities in Memphis (thanks to a recommendation from a friend). I will be able to afford a 40% down payment on a reasonably priced house (<100k). But it’s going to be difficult to do that once a year...

— Question —

Would it be wise to partner up with a US citizen from the get go?

That way I'd be paying loan tax and would need less of a down payment. I realise this means I'd have to use an LLC who would surely take a cut though...

— BRRRR —

I know less about how this would work as a foreign investor. I presume I’d be working with agents, renovators and the rest all whilst not being in the country myself. Seems like a lot of hassle, but perhaps more profitable? (Long Distance Real Estate Investing is on my read list!). I’ve been recommended a view areas, one being Alabama.

— Questions —

Has anyone done BRRRR whilst not being in the country? How did it go? What kind of companies exist for helping with this?