Additionally, there’s always a risk that any pet-related damages could be hidden under furniture or otherwise concealed, potentially leaving us to cover the costs if the security deposit is fully depleted by other expenses (e.g., damages or unpaid rent).

Have you spoken to an immigration lawyer about your options? 

To leverage the equity for financing my next deal, a second mortgage seems like a more cost-effective option.

Ensuring a solid lease agreement and security deposit will help mitigate this.

Seller Financing I am the buyer with 30 days to purchase the property and want to simultaneously market it as rent-to-own,  how can I structure the process effectively:Can I structure the deal this way, so I can secure a tenant-buyer while working to close on the home myself,  minimizing my risk and creating a win-win situation.

He wanted me to paypal him 750 so that he would send the 20k needed to bridge the gap in the loan.The easiest way to spot a red flag is to start with going through a title company. hopefully you did nto give this person your social security number or other private information.

Question 2: if homes upside down on mortgage what are my options?

States which DO NOT require licensing for originating or negotiating a loan secured by commercial real estate nor a loan secured by non owner occupied residential real estateALASKA ARKANSAS COLORADO CONNECTICUT DCDELAWARE FLORIDA GEORGIAHAWAIIIOWAINDIANAKANSAS KENTUCKY INDIANAKANSAS LOUISIANAMASSMARYLAND MAINEMISSOURI MISSISSIPPI MONTANANORTH CAROLINA NEBRASKANEW HAMPSHIRE NEW MEXICO OHIOOKLAHOMA PENNSYLVANIA RHODE ISLAND SOUTH CAROLINA TENNESSEE TEXAS WASHINGTON WISCONSINWEST VIRGINIAStates which DO NOT require licensing for originating or negotiating a loan secured by commercial real estate but DO require licensing for a loan secured by non owner occupied residential real estateIDAHO MINNESOTA OREGON UTAH VIRGINIA States that DO require licensing for both residential and commercial real estate loan origination and brokeringARIZONACALIFORNIAILLINOIS MICHIGANNEW YORK NORTH DAKOTA NEW JERSEY NEVADASOUTH DAKOTA

If that's what you're really after I would start with the basics of what kind of bank loans either residential or commercial are available to you - not saying this is the best option, but it's a good place to start.

Have you explored any of these options yet?