It’s true that while the 10% down payment for a second home sounds appealing, the fact that rate adjustments are now similar makes the distinction less about cost and more about strategy.A few years ago, I helped a couple in San Diego navigate this exact decision.

In tight inventory markets like Boston, I encourage clients to clearly define their purchasing criteria, start looking, and then be patient.Some of the best deals I have seen or experienced personally happened during unusual circumstances.

@Dmitriy Fomichenko not sure if you were aware, but depending on your income and circumstances, you can convert that money into a Roth IRA, tax free.A friend of mine lives in Washington state (no state income tax) and his taxable income is about $50k a year.

A freeze on REIT distributions is entirely distinct from promissory notes or hard money loans.

The tenant base is generally 95% single women with 2 to 5 kids and they flat destroy houses, Not on purpose  most of the time but if you have children all below 10 years old they are just brutual on houses even in the best of situations of which single parent with multiple baby daddys is not the best of circumstances.. full stop.

Thank you for your thoughtful feedback—it’s clear that I need to clarify the distinction between my approach and the traditional perception of “cheap rent.”

Quote from @Victor Tofilski: @Joe VilleneuveThe other unit was a unique circumstance the tenant only needed a place for 6 months before he moves again so I gave him a different price to account for future vacancy.

I had a distinct advantage over my competition who had to do their own courthouse searchs.

I just want to explain my circumstances and see how people with experience and knowledge in real estate would move forward if they were in my shoes.

Since they keep the loans in-house instead of selling them on the secondary market, they can tailor loan terms to meet your unique circumstances as an overseas borrower.If you have strong assets or savings, consider looking into asset-based loans or no-doc loans.