That 2.5% could no longer be a negotiation token that you used to have to make your offer stronger or put it in your pocket as a credit.I can argue that the pre-settlement was incentivized buyers to self represent because the industry had commissions available to the buy side. 

Generally when the market turns, the weaker aares will drop much faster and farther than the stronger areas.

Usually, these are tied to your paycheck too which makes the payback simple as long as you are working at that company during the entire payback period. 

However, that means you tie up your funds an is also 2 years of opportunity cost (lost potential income) when buying resale.

Like a snake shedding its skin, I severed ties with those who drained my spirit and clouded my judgment with their deceit and greed.

Generally if you look for properties in locations with stronger macro statistics you will see that rents and price points tend to diverge from each other.

However I was still tied up in the bankruptcy filing as I was owed money.

If it went any higher the argument for renting would become even stronger.The opportunity cost of tying up all that cash, time & energy is almost never worth it.One of the only times it makes since to finance your primary residence is when you know you are buying a property substantially under market, and reselling it.

Additionally, I'm exploring long-distance investments to identify locations with stronger cashflow potential and a lower entry point.

Most banks would not lend to non US residents or people with limited tie in the US.