The combination of Germany's stable economy, well-regulated property market, relatively low interest rates, and the opportunity for long-term capital appreciation make it a compelling choice for U.S.

@Adam Lowe, my team and brokerage are investment-focused; honestly, I got lucky and connected with them through a mutual acquaintance.

For the value add we're going to fix up the roads, add a nice sign and fence, replace mailboxes, add lights and fix some plumbing leaks.

Looking into getting my hands dirty and doing light rehabs or updates.  

That seem like a very low for a furnished rental.   

With down payments as low as 5-10%, plus low property taxes compared to the U.S., investing in German real estate is more accessible than you might think.If you’ve ever thought about owning property overseas but felt intimidated, stay tuned.

Getting a mother-in-low to co-sign is not the answer.

Sometimes you can bring to life an old cabinet simply by painting it, putting new hardware on, and maybe updating a light fixture in the room that shines brighter, and not yellow. 

Quote from @Patricia Steiner: There are several lenders who offer low/no closing cost options for first time homebuyers.

Low or no down, seller financing and low or no interest with a balloon payment later is the holy grail (location, building condition, market also matter but it sounds like you have all that).