Hello BP, i'm going to be an Oversea investor and i'm having difficulty getting a good recommend CPA from the people that i had been networking.

I would never accept a tenant on the promise that they will "quit" smoking without considerable skin in the game.

You didn't say what the price point was, but 20% down would generally be adequate skin in the game and enough to cover repairs if you end up getting it back. 

You want to keep this mixture off of your skin though..

And the 10K can be used as your contribution/skin into the deal.

Better to have the legal framework in place by a knowledgeable professional with zero skin in the game, than to have an ambiguous setup that costs several thousands to unravel.

I'm also from Canada investing in the US,so I'm not sure if that adds difficulties. 

Particularly on the Maryland side of the border, the state of Maryland no longer allows agents to be involved in the negotiation process with the bank....this has dramatically increased the degree of difficulty in getting a short sale through.

If I have a prospect for a rental who is difficult, I just find a way to disqualify them quickly.

However, many portfolio lenders will want to see skin in the game so you may have to put some cash down regardless of how cheap you buy it.