I guess I just got excited because I could see how I could transform it

It's amazing the transformation that's happened!

If you give it a little more time you will probably be amazed at how it's going to transform similar to Fishtown 

I have lived here my entire life and seen all the transformation that has occurred in so many of the neighborhoods.

We just completely redid the house we bought 1.5 years ago (totally redone kitchen, bath, flooring etc... and we're now working on creating a built in entertainment center) It was pretty fun seeing the house transformed.

It was transformative, and a new world opened up for me.

The transition from the security of a solid union job to seeking the opportunities that lie in real estate will take a transformation of mindset.

I work as a contractor in some up and coming areas around Johns Hopkins Homewood Campus and MICA, the local arts college that has totally transformed North Avenue.I work with a partner and we have flipped two homes in this area and are currently building 4 spec homes down the street, which we'll be selling for market rate. 

(if he wants to control when earnings are repatriated to Canada, then he's looking at incorporating an entity in the U.S.)The best advice for him is to jot down his situation and objectives in point form, then find both and accountant and attorney who have cross-boarder business and real estate experience and spend a few hundred dollars to find an ownership structure which fits his immediate needs, but that will grow with him, or can easily be transformed to meet is longer term objectives without creating a nightmare of taxable events.

Quite the transformation, congrats on your success and good luck on the next one!