Focus on what the rents will look like post-renovation with 4 units instead of 2, and have a clear game plan for refinancing to pull your capital back out. 

Hey @Marc Shin, so yes on the games.

They aren't looking for 10% returns and they probably love the idea of getting some cash legally out of Canada.I got into Costa Rica because of the country (it's awesome), what's happening to real estate prices there and in the US (they are nuts here) and the amount of development that's happening around Potrero, the technology advancements in the STR industry, proximity to the beach etc.

Being in the industry for over ten years and running over 500 machines myself I can only say they are bad dudes. 

Negotiating felt like a game of chess—except I was playing against a grandmaster, and my queen was missing.

Real estate is a relationship game.

For me, in the LTR game, it's tenants. 

There are rules and situations unique to each state and that is why you want to go with a local lender vice someone just reaching out to you telling you they can do it. 2) Better recourse if the lender screws something up: a local lender has more skin in the game so to speak as if they screw something up their name will be mud to local real estate agents in the deal.

It’s been a game changer.

Things like your car (if used for business) and home office expenses could be game-changers, especially in your first year.