Experience with STRs - they at least know or can understand the extra steps it takes to make ready the properties, including photos (cleaners hate taking photos, I've found, even though it protects them from being blamed)2.

Bernard Parish -- anyone have any luck finding someone to step in?

Finding the right property, coordinating with reliable contractors, securing quality tenants, and refinancing effectively are all key steps.

Wow Chris, Thanks for all of the information and I will definitely follow these steps.

@Brady Herbaugh- thanks ...a house hack where you live in the property you buy is the best step to take for your 1st investment...make sure you get pre approved  for a loan before you begin to search for a property  

I recently started in February wholesaling to build capital for my first step into house hacking.

@Kyle Rucker- thanks ....you will have a tough time locating a 2nd loan for  180K +  ....Ask the realtor you are working with for options ...Make sure that the lender holding the FHA loan will be able to approve your assumption  request  ( this can be a long drawn out step ) .....if you do find a 2nd mtg - compare the fha loan and 2nd mtg  to a  simple new FHA or conventional loan as there may not be a large difference 

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This is my first post and I call it first step to success!!  

We set up our infrastructure and are very organize and thorough, and through the year we made some significant progress and went on a learning phase to get better each day and closer to our first deal.As foreign investors we have to rely on hard money which gives a less edge, and face uncertainty with contractors not knowing real pricing and such.We are constantly on the look out for new investment opportunities.The problems we are facing right now is not knowing good contractors and the high competition on the MLS.We just started learning more about off market properties and sending direct mail.We would like to hear from your experience what should our next step be as newbie investors, and if there are some foreign investors here with tips.Thank you so much guys, best of luck to all!