I wish I had that in my first years and I am sure I would have avoided some pain and loss. 

My ‘buy box’ may be limiting me.

He is very interested in real estate business especially long-term rental properties in Dubai, but he has limited knowledge of rental properties, so he joined this community to get a good understanding of how real estate works, and how to manage his properties while living in USA, and to get in touch with real estate owners.   

They find housing on own that can be covered by insurance if home uninhabitable and it is due to covered loss. 

I am not the one making the payments, but it's still on my credit report.My limited income, combined with being a co-signer on the loan, results in a less-than-ideal DTI ratio.Under these circumstances, what type of loan or lender should I focus on?

So definitely include clauses in all leases that limit the types of businesses that can operate within the space.

I can afford the loss.

As for heat loss along the way why does it matter?

Investing as a limited partner/ passive investor is a somewhat risky endeavor whether it in private placement or in the public markets.  

They were great until they put a $1M limit on my policy because a couple of my homes ha pools.