I am finding that most credit unions will only do helocs on primary residence.

This of course depends on your starting bank roll - but if its like mine (under 100k) - Im trying to put as little as possible into it on top of initial equity and fees.this will likely chew a big hole in your ROI  (now if you are looking to improve value with a cash out refi or a great prospect comes along that needs combo new plumbing, roof, windows, foundation repair, etc - well just make sure you know what youre getting into and/or have a good contractor and finger on the pulse of the market when estimating the ARV YOURSELF - couple missed items and you risk having a bad first investment and not doing it again).    7) dont be scared be ambitious ( i should heed my own advice sometimes) 8) define numbers goals within your target areas.  

Having a stable income and good credit will be foundational in qualifying for a loan.

A licensed property manager should have access to the MLS which would put you on realtor.com, Zillow, and probably a dozen or more other websites.You don't need professional photographs, but they should be improved.

I am optimistic that things might improve with this change, but I would not pay again just to find out.

Since you and your wife have renovation skills, targeting properties that need minor improvements can maximize your return on investment while minimizing the time and cost associated with major renovations.

They show some creative ways to borrow money or to payoff debt using credit lines but their disclaimer is to see your cpa and/or lawyer.

The downside is they usually come with higher interest rates and shorter loan terms.Partnerships or Co-signers: If your husband or a trusted partner has U.S. legal status and credit history, they might be able to co-sign or help with financing.Cash Purchases: Since you have savings in Canada, you might consider using that for your first property, especially for a smaller rehab project.Foreign National Loans: Some lenders specialize in providing loans for foreign nationals.

Mostly on trade accounts with local businesses for the materials, some business credit cards, some of the contractors were OK with waiting 30 days for payment. 

People with good credit scores can even be denied.