Hired terrible contractors on numerous occasions. 

You can certainly do what @Brandon Calloway is proposing, I have done it myself numerous times.

With numerous Chicago and us based lenders why in the world would someone seek out a foreign lender with no experience?

He states numerous times about how he saved money fixing something himself rather than going to a contractor to have it done (Duh it's cheaper that way!) 

Well when you post in a public forum you're inviting people to comment.

In exchange I can invite you for coffee or dinner and tell you about the real estate market in South America and Europe. :-)Someday I would like to get some buy and hold properties in the US with good cashflow (maybe in the Midwest), buy I think it is easier for a foreigner to start with a genuine business.

I've referred him to numerous friends and investors, and so far everyone appreciates his thorough inspections and advice.

Consider yourself invited! 

NO Booze  just coffee and soft drinks but of course designer coffee we are in the Pac NW after all.it was a HUGE turn out over flowed the office LOL.but I did do it with another person.. he helped cordinate etc.. and I invited a few people that he thought were direct competitors of his and the next day this kid calls me and basically chews me out.. .. that was the end of that relationship and the last time i go to any meet up other than if I am invited to speak as a guest speaker..

I simply have been invited to come view it, since I had reached out to them with my marketing in the past.