Plus the added requirements around getting drawings and general contractor for even adding a tiny closet.

https://www.qcnews.com/news/investigations/unfinished-business-multiple-homeowners-claim-nc-builder-took-bank-draws-cash-and-left-their-homes-unfinished/?

I don't know why this comparison would be any different or would draw controversy compared to other comparisons. 

None wanted to give me at least an estimate without architectural drawings, which I guess is understandable.

I know the 401 penalties are steep but my thoughts are if I can gain enough cash flow to leave my current career, do I really need to worry about whatever money is in there to draw from 20 years down the road?

Hard Money will fund 90% of the purchase price and 100% of the rehab on a draw schedule. 

It's gotta grab people, draw them in, stop them in there searching tracks.

I've head from others who went this route and had to pay before delivery which caused strain on capital because they couldn't complete draws in the same manner as stick built construction. 

Out of curiosity what was the draw to do a section 8 house as opposed to market rents??

While I could write a whole dissertation as to way, I have no appetite to enter into a kind of discussion in which too often egos become prevalent over helping one another.What I would do if I was in your position is to ask about investing in the US to somebody who actively invests there and ask about investing overseas to somebody who actively invests in Europe and the Caribbean and then draw your own conclusions.