Be sure to do your due diligence and make sure the PMC is licensed (if required, it's not in all states) and insured.

A vacation rental could generate higher returns but requires more active management.

Real estate just like stocks and other strategies requires intelligence and a plan.

The down fall is a Heloc can "Never" be used as an asset or for PITI reserves required when buying a new Primary or investment property.A heloc can also cause major issues with credit and one slight hiccup or missed payment the bank or lender who is holding the Heloc can close or reduce your line of credit.

Finding off-market deals and putting a fair bit of work into them.Our typical deal today we're doing goes for a purchase price of around $50,000 - 60,000 and will require $20,000 - $30,000 in rehab.These are general averages, of course.Then you're seeing appraisals in the $90,000 - $120,000 range. 

I would be happy to go over some of the requirements for getting a mortgage in the US as an international investor. 

Fannie Mae has a requirement that if you want to use the rental income from the non occupied units, that you MUST have a current housing expense which means you cannot live rent free.

I wouldnt, so long as you have your requirements laid out - they should be able to know if it is even worth applying.

With inquiries, you're only required to respond to them with a message.

I think a HELOC requires a certain LTV before you can pull any equity and 1 year most likely won't be long enough for any real equity to build.I would say.