Hello @Peter Mckernan, These tips are very helpful and will definitely use them on future listings.

Honestly, I would not sign any lease until you positively close and legally own the property.

The beach has taken about a year and the jungle house will take about 4-5 years because we are paying off some seller financing with the revenue from the short term rentals.I would say that I can definitely make more money investing in real estate in the United States than in Costa Rica.

Definitely talk to an attorney if you go that route.One big thing: since you haven’t been inside yet, be ready for surprises on the repair costs.

@Tim Holt Come February, it's legal to create an ADU by-right on any single family property in the entire state.

You can provide more details, but there is no legal requirement to do so.

Lancaster city limits short term rentals to only certain zones of the city so definitely look at the city website for that information.

I invite you to perform the exercise and find what your cap ex allocation should be.certainly $50/month for maintenance/cap ex and misc is not enough and this property is definitely cash negative when properly allocating for expenses.  

I am not a tax or legal professional so please take this to someone much more qualified.

@Ryan Daniel  I will preface this with the fact that I have a legal background, specifically with estate planning and asset protection in relation to real estate investments.