Our own house with FedNat and was in the $6000 range...we ended up with Citizens at $12,000. 

With the current home insurance situation in Florida making everything very difficult the only company that was able to insure the property was Citizens which only provides a $100k liability coverage.

I have an agent out of Miami that gets great rates, usually with Citizens but depends on property (distance to water, etc). 

I've got a HELOC without any income qualification just on the basis of appraisal.....but my house was free and clear and the HELOC is a first lien position.Also, I've got less than 50% of the appraisal on that LOC.That was 4 years ago with Citizens Bank....not sure if they still do it - when I referred my client a year later, they said they disconnect this product.

The ones that are beholden to the hotels and hotel workers unions, like Anaheim and Santa Monica, here in California will ban citizens from using their home to make a few extra bucks. 

My parents have more belongings than me, even though they are senior citizens.

As a non-citizen owner, you just don't have the rights that someone who is local and lives in the property.

Keep in mind that for China to keep up with the new Chinese citizens entering the work force, they need to maintain somewhere around 3% - 5% growth rate.  

If you're a US citizen still claiming income on us tax returns and both you and your brother are on the loan.  

Neighboring property owners usually do not have to grant you an easement for utillities, you would need to buy it, as it does affect the value of their land, and what can be done in the future.Utility companies do have a right to try to take by imminent domain, but have to prove that it is a required necessity for the citizens.