If some applicants fall below your requirements, then everyone would be considered "conditional," you can raise the security deposit to mitigate your risk of someone breaking up or defaulting. 

Every so often I have heard people say they have found tax lien/deed lending, but I think that is pretty rare and not widely available.   

Pros to my current position: Secure, w2, pay is above average, benefits are stellar, schedule is somewhat flexible (can leave if I need to without penalty; vacation when I want - utilizing banked time on both), 3 miles from home, and hopefully a pension in 17 years. 

Hi Sean, There are many programs for international buyers to secure financing. 

I am surprised that my lender is asking me to access Social Security Records and a tax transcript.

I'm going to look into those, I've never heard of them before but always interesting to see what security and tools are out there. appreciate it!

I can probably secure it for around 60k, and it's probably worth about 250k after renovation.

I’m confused by the wide margin in prices seemingly in the same areas though it’s  possible the neighborhoods are different in such a short distance.  

An STR will look every bit as good as it did when it started - because it has to.Not only that but it is much easier for property managers to get repairs reimbursed when a guest damages something as an STR as opposed to when a long term renter moves out and outside of the security deposit, good luck. 

Especially would love to hear from investors that could guide on what might help to secure funding?