.: Ensuring compliance with tax regulations in both countries is vital.

Ahhh  I see.. nothing is free anymore.. except bad advice.. 

VA loans of course being an exception!

The agent will prepare a commitment with requirements for closing including a deed from the party the insurer believes is authorized to sign the deed and any supporting docs they need to be comfortable in issuing a title policy to you w/o an exception for your concerns.

Colombia has nice cities but generally doesn't have the best beaches (there are exceptions, as was pointed out), including Cartagena.

Definitely check in with my strategic lender since 2003 @Joseph Chiofalo they have some exceptional FHA programs and he is one of the best in the business.

You are opening yourself to potential Fair Housing violation if you make an exception for this type of tenants, but not for all.

If the borrower qualifies without using rental income, a lease may still suffice.Some lenders may make exceptions for existing investment properties with a proven rental history.

It's more straight forward to replace faucets, sinks, light fixtures, etc, all of which can typically be done without a permit.Only homeowners working on their own owner-occupied home are excepted from the requirement that a permit be pulled by a licensed builder - but even then the homeowner *does* have to pull the required permit.

A better plan that using this HELOC for a down payment would be to keep debt to a minimum so that your DTI is exceptional, and save up from your income for the next down payment.