As a flipper, you are trying to control your costs to maximize your return on each deal.

The thing that scares me about condos is the lack of control over the HOA fees.

-he pays $550 of the $930 mortgage, and half of the utilities, which are not split, and are in my name. am I overreacting, or do I need to do some damage control on the tax front?

It is spring, and the tenants also mentioned the sump pump is also running some which is out of my control and should by considered in some of their living cost being that they are living on an acreage!

It might be worth exploring options for someone else to manage the rehab and for them to just manage the property once it is ready to be rented.Stay on top of things and don't let it get out of control.

Talk to you county tax office they should be able to tell you exactly how it works for your state.Also you can create self directed IRA'S with checkbook control or a self directed Solo401k. 

Control more cash in MM or CD's so we don't take the full inflation bite, holding cash. 

I could see an argument for Austin booming if Biden wins as people continue to flee Democrat controlled cities.

But like all investing, don't put all your eggs in one basket that you can't control.  

So my thoughts would be why not buy a great ROI property in the U.S. that you have more control over and is easier to get to and then visit Central or South America with the profits?