And, do you have accurate and up-to-date bookkeeping records in place so you have the appropriate data at your fingertips to be able to make strategic decisions for each property?

What are some of the tips and pointers you can provide on how to navigate these challenges?

Any advice or tips would be greatly appreciated! 

-Any tips for identifying promising BRRR strategies?

Any tips on how to create a welcoming and appealing environment for these potential tenants?

Nice tip! 

Any guidance/ tips on how to proceed would be very appreciated.

Any guidance/ tips on how to proceed would be very appreciated. 

I was nearly scammed by a seller in the US who I met in person, met his "associates", toured the property with and everything, but my tip off to do more research was that he was against using a third party to hold funds in escrow even when I said I would personally pay all associated fees and noted that it would not delay closing at all. 

The cash-out refi necessarily means thousands of dollars in additional expenses - likely setting you back further than you went forward in mortgage pay down during the same time period if refinancing in 1-2 years - but hopefully earning more equity in the meantime (fingers crossed).