For the past 3 years, I've paid my property manager in Costa Rica via paypal, a minimal cost for me and he gets his money next day.   

See if the Seller will finance with a minimal downpayment.2.

As Nathan suggested, I'll learn a lot more as I go, but what currently resonates with me is minimizing tenants rather than maximizing RoI.Tim and @Adam Tafel, I will be reaching out to you.Thanks again!

You need to understand that given your situation the asset and operational impact must be absolute minimal, lowest risk exposure possible.

On the positive, holding costs to get you to february should be minimal.  

Having the ability to live for free, while minimizing the taxes on my W2 income.

So minimal impact to credit during the rehab process.It appraised for $173k after rehab, refinanced and paid everyone off including the seller, and walked with cash to do my next deal :)

I usually tell my clients that you should expect that you have to refi at MINIMUM, 1 year after initial purchase to minimize the Appraiser risk.

@Thomas Sheehanonly you can decide what makes sense for you financially, but I would not put $200-250K into a property to generate minimal cash flow. i look to minimize my outlays when I purchase.

If the guidelines are clear before they sign the dotted line, there is a mutual respect, and a good vetting process is performed I think I can minimize tragedy.