The key is to identify personal property from real property.

We will shop for used appliances where we can when we need one… or pick up used cabinets if we can, or search eBay for something smaller,  but going to the extreme of personally shipping something big in internationally for one-off renovation needs seems like a stretch of reasonable.Just like you mention, the number of unknowns would not seem to be worth it to me.Just my 2 cents.Randy  

If you don't look at them before buying in person, you will get burned at some point and regret it.   

I don't know if they still do it but if memory serves a few years ago TD Bank would do a HELOC on a rental in second position but only if it was titled in someone's personal name. 

If you're more of a 'personal referral' person than a 'do research online' person, and this is local to you in Manhattan, KS, hit up one or two of the trades people in the "little apple all stars" BNI group.

Are you referring to personal losses or other people had losses?

Personally CA scares me. 

Well, three top reasons come to mind:It will allow you to deduct their earnings on your own tax return.It is required by law for any person to whom you paid at least $600 in 2023, total.

I personally have no connections with anyone who is involved in this niche and I'm wondering how other people have started their journey.

Conducted personal research.