Inspections are good start, but they don't check anything that the inspector cannot see so once you start opening walls, you might be in a big surprised.

This is my first investment property, I plugged everything into my deal analysis calculator and it seems to be like a good deal but I want to ensure I don't have any surprises. 

I wouldn't be surprised if the previous owner knew this. 

So, foreign investors should be aware of their travel patterns and consult a cross-border tax advisor to avoid any surprises.

It would be more convenient to get the one guy, for sure, but it would be a pretty difficult sell.  

nor is pesky repairs that don't show up until a few months or years of a tenant living in a property.i say all this not to discourage you but to arm you with facts. i don't want you to be surprised like so many others are.and: partnering, tapping into equity, anything else 'creative' just means expensive. 

RecommendationGiven your goal of minimizing upfront costs while keeping control, here’s how you might proceed:Conduct a Thorough Title Search: Before committing, make sure there are no surprises in the title.

Second, **flexible terms** and clear communication about rates, fees, and loan-to-value (LTV) ratios are essential to avoid surprises.

I am in Dallas and find it surprising that any sub market in FTW was declining but that is the reason for the LTV reduction.

I prefer just and additional “utility charge” and it’s usually close enough and I prefer that convenience.