There are lenders that will finance newbies, even at 100% of the purchase & rehab, but if the numbers do not make sense, the chances of that deal getting to the table are thin (especially if the lender wants to help borrowers succeed, not help them fail).The lender's underwriter looks at every deal, but especially the lesser experienced operator's deal to determine what is exposed vs what is the return.

I am probably similar to you where I never want to retire but want to have the comfort to know if I fail pursuing a dream that it doesn't harm my children.

Bank financing How did you add value to the deal?

The bank relationship is one I cultivated over many years and now lean on heavily for my more complexed projects.

I am paid by a US company within a US bank account. 

Your classic newbie move is to focus on one deal for three months and then when it fails, the pipeline is a clean as a newly dug PVC sewer line.

I know it can be hard to get rural loans unless you are using a local bank or credit union. 

I have seen several fail due to lawsuits and insufficent coverage. 

Rent collection and expenses can be managed through a separate business bank account under the LLC, even if mortgage payments remain personal. 

(Just make sure you can pay them back and know banks don't want you to put a second on the property, but also won't check.)