All super helpful - and a good reminder to lean into the context of my local market.

Would we see increased cross-border transactions and a surge in property investment opportunities?

I am approved for both a standard loan and a rehab HomeStyle loan.

I went through it anyway bc she had a good footprint online, I liked the designs, and a couple of ppl at another STR group recommended her (not an excuse, I was super busy and thought I was dealing with a professional).

We thoroughly regretted it well into the morning hours.Bad news: Most good tax accountants also have lines and a long wait, and for the same reason. 

And a single or double play is awesome.

Better yet, accept the fact that there are always going to be the poor, and a good number of these people - especially in class-movable societies like the US - are going to be there because they aren't motivated enough to do anything further. 

The grout between the tiles allows a run off of water and a gripping surface for your feet.3. if you’re smart, use durock on the walls too, right up to the ceiling.

They are far more common now and harder to find models without but:1) these add cost to the purchase price2) they don't bring a lot of value3) they can leak or detach and damage the propertyI own around 50 doors and I cap off the line at the wall or in the basement with a valve and a cap so the potential for leaks is 0.00001% :-) 

The Teak plantation is about diversification and a fun secondary strategy.