I would focus on saving enough money that if I had a deal go bad, then that money I saved was there to cover it. 

However, vacancy means covering 100% of the expenses.Multifamily properties almost always generate higher cash flow due to multiple income streams, which also reduces the risk of vacancies.

Can try to reposition to Class B, but neighborhood may impede these efforts.Vacancy Est: Historically 10%, but 15-20% should be used to also cover tenant nonpayment, eviction costs & damages.Tenant Pool: majority will have FICO scores of 560-620 (approaching 22% probability of default), many blemishes, but should have no evictions in last 2 years.

Assuming the ARV you mentioned is accurate, at 75% LTV you'd be able to pull enough equity to cover your existing payoff, refi costs and walk away with a good chunk of cash in your pocket.

- FYI: it's only illegal to try to rent it out, the property owner can usually legally live in a nonconforming basement unit.If you do all this you may still negatively cashflow each month, so make sure your income can cover and/or your cash reserves.If you do this successfully, you will learn more in 1-2 years than you would reading here on BP for 5+ years:)Good luck:)

It may well form part of the bank valuation in terms of square foot, and it may be covered in the habitation license (the habitation license would cover house + annex), but it will be treated differently and need to be closed off for rental.

@Matthew Drouin I haven't even dreamed of doing what I'm talking about but research the subject I've been brought to various YouTube video offer case studies & case analysis which would have me to believe deals can be done by lone individuals without any capital of their own being spent.

And that's where they get in trouble.I have never taken money out of our REI portfolio to cover living expenses.

Can try to reposition to Class B, but neighborhood may impede these efforts.Vacancy Est: Historically 10%, but 15-20% should be used to also cover tenant nonpayment, eviction costs & damages.Tenant Pool: majority will have FICO scores of 560-620 (approaching 22% probability of default), many blemishes, but should have no evictions in last 2 years.

This is because they're much more expensive than other countries in the region and, unlike in some other countries in the region Costa Rica doesn't have the mass tourism needed to get you the rental income that would justify those prices.This being said, it shouldn't be hard for you to break even though since all you'd need to do for that is cover your costs.