if you're a few years out before starting in the US with RE Investing, the best thing you can do is work on your credit and safe money and start establishing business credit with banks and credit unions here in the USenjoy Panama, and good luck

The only people who succeed at birddogging are the ones who learn everything they can and know it's going to be a low-paid slog so they do the work hard and one day it changes because you have earned more.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------If I had to start all over again, I'd look to acquire a 2-4 unit property with an FHA low-down payment mortgage.

The net result is basically the same, but it keeps the two properties separate from a lenders perspective.Any low down payment money, particularly on an investment property, is going to come from a private money lender.  

Some call a line of credit a bridge but its not its a open end mortgage and the lien is in second position.If you have any questions or want more info on the above types of scenarios feel free to reach out or send me an email.What you want in this current market is a cash out refinance unless you are trying to sell a primary or vacation home.

They are inexpensive, they usually come with mineral rights (big plus in Texas), they typically have short redemption periods, low rehab costs, and sell quickly at the right price; they also have large ROI. 

In multifamily here in Reno, NV (just over the hill), we have seen some great deals with higher cap rates for buyers, but also very low cap rates on some renovated, turn key inventory. 

Take a look at this chart: FICO Score Pct of Population Default Probability 800 or more 13.00% 1.00% 750-799 27.00% 1.00% 700-749 18.00% 4.40% 650-699 15.00% 8.90% 600-649 12.00% 15.80% 550-599 8.00% 22.50% 500-549 5.00% 28.40% Less than 499 2.00% 41.00% This is how likely a borrower is likely to default on credit extended to them.

Often low down payment/no PMI programs have those costs built in elsewhere in the loan. 

What documents do they require, what credit scores do they allow, how do they verify previous rental history, etc.?