A Foreigner wants to buy SFR in CA

[Tatyana E.]

Hi,

My cousin lives in Russia and she is thinking of purchasing a house in California. She has no Green Card and she can only visit US as a guest. In the future she plans to either move to the US (there are a number of ways) or just visit me from time to time and stay for a few months in the US.

She wants to take advantage of our low housing prices, purchase a house, rent it out (rental income is not that important to her but it would be nice if it at least covered expenses on property tax, utilities etc.).

Off course, she is going to pay cash, and I am ready to help her as much as I can. Also, she is not in a hurry, obviously housing market is not going anywhere in the nearest future in our area, and we are just researching our opportunities.

How can she do it?

She doesn't mind just to give me the money and let me buy a house and put it in my name but is it necessary? Can she buy a house with her name on it?

How can I rent it out for her (legally) and pay all taxes, utilities etc., get rent in my account (?) - I don't have a license, can I still manage property for my relative and get no financial compensation for it?

I'll be thankful for any ideas/advice etc.