They NEVER EVER cut the grass so the weeds are all over my backyard chain-link fence that divides our properties. 

How they overcame it is either finish out the project and don't use them again or cut them loose and get a new contractor to finish the work!

That is a safety issue.

•Safety and Growth: McAllen, for instance, has been ranked among the top 5 safest cities in the U.S. since 2020.

Now we were out there in April with a plumber due to roots in the sewer line, the plumber and I were there for around 4 hours he ran a camera through the lines and cut out all the roots and then ran the camera through it again and the line was clear.

Lastly, I don't know what your long term plans are, but having a house to return to in the States if your international adventures don't work as planned can be a good safety net for you!

I have been looking for a retired kitchen space to cut down the costs.

The past couple of years as L3Harris has begun to move production/engineering from California to the area (cost cutting measure, not political), we have been seeing 10% appreciation yoy or so. 

I would also say that markets like Manhattan are not super representative of most markets in the US - a lot of foreign investment I'd imagine in NYC, Miami etc - I'd guess a lot of these cash purchases are more about exchanging unstable or risky foreign assets/currencies for perceived stability/safety of US top metro residential real estateI think in a lot of other markets where this isn't relevant - I think most are cash offers being "king" as not having appraisal or other contingencies that might sabotage the sale after 30 days or so and make people re-list (sellers will take less to avoid this risk and downside)

If you don’t, the government will take a cut of what he could have h tax free.