They should not SET the commission amount, because as the DOJ says, they do so under the threat of a group boycott if they don't offer the "standard" (which I know is a word you are not supposed to say).The reason Realtors and the NAR are fighting so hard to keep seller set commissions, is that buyers do not believe they get $12,000 worth of service when they buy the average $400k home.

@Ashish Acharya @Clinton Davis yeah that's the last I heard too but there seems to be alot of confusion and I find it hard to believe that the Govt would enforce the outrageous penalties with all this confusion. 

I can hardly believe an accountant would say such a thing unless there are pieces of the story that aren't in the post. 

I utilize a PO Box as well.It wouldn't be hard for our tenants to find out where we live (tax assessor's online tool) ~ But for $50/yearly ... it gives me a bit more piece of mind :)

I am also a lender, with Chase Bank, but want to expand my knowledge on hard money and private financing options.

typically (as you probably know) you buy something distressed, with either cash or hard money, you fix it up, and then you refinance into long term debt. 

You've done all the hard work, you need to get some $ out and now you need to sell your vision.

Since you're a citizen but you live and work abroad you'd still qualify mostly for second homes occupancy or investor non owner occupancy (primary is hard to claim if your job requires you to be physically next to the office as an example so an underwriter isnt going to readily believe you unless you can get HR to write you a letter to state you're remotely capable of earning this income/job duties anywhere).Hopefully that helps let me know if you have further questions into mortgage planning.

Raising rents to market levels is a big deal and hard to do. 2.

The one cost will be getting the units furnished, but if you live in the area it isn't hard to source a bunch of decent 2nd hand furniture on Craigslist or FB market