Are we using a real estate investment seminar as a tool to decide whether to go into the rental property business or not?

This is pretty low hanging fruit: If you do not already own real estate (personal occupancy) I would start by purchasing a SFH or 1-4 unit using a conventional mortgage:1.

I researched this at length before using a heloc to pay for a rental down payment.  

What would work would be using a US lender if you have US collateral to give but that would likely defeat the purpose and you probably don't need me to tell you that.Finally, there is a lot of inaccurate information around about investing overseas.

Hi @Rita SamaddarI recommend areas based on three things:Budget: Knowing your cash to close helps me suggest the best areas, especially if you're using a hard money loan.Rehab Level: Whether you prefer low or major rehab impacts the neighborhoods I'll recommend.Market Dynamics: Areas with minimal days on market are ideal, as they predict how quickly your property will sell post-rehab.In conclusion, start with how much you have to work with and the level of rehab you're comfortable with to find the best areas for fix and flip.

Here is the summary if you are interested.In this case, the main question is when did the investor completed his start-up phase and became actively engaged in his business.Whether a taxpayer is engaged in a trade or business is determined using a facts and circumstances test under which courts have focused on the following three factors that indicate the existence of a trade or business: (1) whether the taxpayer undertook the activity intending to earn a profit; (2) whether the taxpayer is regularly and actively involved in the activity; and (3) whether the taxpayer's activity has actually commenced.

I have a very picturesque property that I have thought of using as an Airbnb type situation, initially with a building not is use....however I am on a creek, with a little dock.

Quote from @Nick Bednarczyk: 5 Important Lessons for New House Flippers1: Thoroughly research financing options 💵Using a hard money loan can be a smart way to fund your flip, especially if you don’t have a lot of cash on hand.

See attached Excel summary sheet.Investment Highlight89% Physically OccupiedSupply Index in a 3-mile radius of 6.8 SF/Capita, 5-mile radius of 7.7 SF/Capita, and 10-mile radius of 8.3 SF/CapitaAdditional Income generated from 4 mobile home lots and 1 mobile home (Not Verified, as thus not included in underwriting assumptions)Key Underwriting AssumptionsDown Payment 25% of Purchase PriceEstimating a CAPEX/Repairs cost of $150,000Estimating Operating Reserves of $10000Stabilized Vacancy and Concessions/loss to lease at 10%Using a cap rate of 7.23%Key Demographic DataTotal Square Footage 21,130 Supply Index: 6.3Population 3,338 1 Yr.

have a very picturesque property that I have thought of using as an Airbnb type situation, initially with a building not is use....however I am on a creek, with a little dock.