I use Steadily for insurance.I went to Grant's class and did Sam Wegert's 5 day think a while back.Is LivingSmith a property management company? 

Hi Devin, Have you ever considered that instead of America needing smaller homes that are more affordable, that America needs more higher paying jobs so that people can live the actual American dream versus having to settle for less and less and less (Has George Carlin pointed out in his classic speech about this). 

And because so many Americans refused to look at the truth, were here in this position.

@Sam McCormackSam, it would be great to hear your view of Cincinnati.

@Leslie L Meneus you are trying to find a tribe of super freaks.Let me explain…Only 6% of Americans own one or more rental property.  

BiggerPockets website is good for the American market (mostly) but you will also find lots of Canadians on here and some good info on the Canadian market just by searching.There are worthwhile local West Coast resources for learning real estate investing in general and the Canadian and Vancouver markets in particular.

At the moment, we are using American Modern and Sage Sure through our insurance broker. 

But when it's equity gains, no tax, only at time of sale and if you 1031 Uncle Sam let's you continue to use that tax-$ for investing purposes.

However, I don’t have a US-based W2 (but work full time for an American tech company in their London office). 

Prices a few years ago were based on expectations of (in addition to interest rates staying low): - Then current operating cost assumptions (like insurance cost expectations being flat)- A seeming disregard for record levels of new inventory / supply hitting the market- Extremely high inbound migration expectations which are likely to not be met, due to both natural disasters and the boomerang effect when people from California or the Northeast move to the American South and hate every minute of the humidity, the large and relentless swarm of insects, and the occasional hurricane.