Repairs made while the property is your primary residence are not deductible, but improvements can increase your cost basis, reducing future capital gains tax when you sell.

So feel free to DM me if you think I could help.The other reason for me to reply to you is to debunk some untruths that are being circulated about international investing, as it could help all readers who bump into this thread.It's not true that many European countries require you to be a citizen or a permanent resident to invest in real estate there and certainly not in the countries that you mentioned.

Yes, the intention is to build a primary residence for my family to move into. 

Thanks to everything I’ve learned from the podcasts, books, and this community, my wife and I currently own:A triplex in MaineA single-family rental in San AntonioA single-family primary residence in Las Cruces, NM, which will become a rental when we move in a few monthsFor context, I'm an active-duty Army officer with about 12 years left until retirement, and my wife works for a university in Boston.

I buy homes as a primary residence with 5% down and move into them keeping my previous as a rental and the area that I live doesn't have new builds that would work for us, otherwise I would buy a new build. 

And a local resident is usually very helpful.

Normal mortgage rates are in the high 6's now, for a personal residence, and higher for an investment property. 

Investment Info:Single-family residence buy & hold investment.

Quote from @Donald Hatter: Investment Info:Single-family residence buy & hold investment.

I don't think being a long distance landlord is as easy as some tout but full disclosure I've stayed with 80 miles of my primary residences.