Quote from @Esta Ryder: The negative for me, personally, would be the concern about buying a money pit. 

@Esta Ryder Thank you for the input!

You need to know your local Real estae market, know the borrowers, then a lot of due diligence and legal documents.

I'm sure it's a much more useful tool than I give it credit for but if you are starting out in real estate or the str game (as indicated by the op) my suggestion is that you need to build on the fundamentals of real estae investing and learn your business not learn how to navigate a tool that may or may not provide value to your particular business.

- do i need to consult a Belgian bank with ties in the US- i read this could cause immigration problems / ESTA refusal / etc. ?

The refineries committed to a $50-60 billion dollar expansion prior to oil crashing. http://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/real-esta...Here is another article talking about the upcoming housing boom in Baytown with recent approvals for close to 1000 units.

I'm 57 and want to supplement my income and eventually replace it with real estae investing.

Real Estae is my choice hoping that it will accommodate my health and the possibly my learning and it's honesty.  

Esta misma tasa en propiedades del centro, pueden estar en torno al 8% y 9%.

I'm assuming this may be enough info to give a est. as to how much a new roof would cost?