There's nothing inherently different about re-leveraging a property versus a brand new mortgage. 

It seems like a technician structural different not an inherent one, unless I'm missing something? 

Foreclosures also come with A LOT of inherent risk - you don't know the condition of what you are buying until after you have bought it.  

@Dane Reynolds Popping in here because I don't see this mentioned but my understanding is if you lived in the property any 2 of the last 5 years prior to selling that you get to avoid capital gains tax.

Catch all the red flags prior to submission cause once you submit a file that has uncaught red flags, that's when your process slows and lender's get nit-picky.From a lender, I want you to work fast, if I am hustling on my end to make it easy for their processor and underwriter then I expect fast work with an open line of communication and I want my rep at the lender to be able to fight for me or my clients should an obstacle arise - which they usually do.

Trusting someone is my biggest obstacle. - I need to feel more confident that I know what I'm looking for.I'm sure there are tons of people who have successfully invested from overseas - SO KEEP THE REPLIES COMING SO WE CAN ALL LEARN MORE FROM YOUR SUCCESSES (and mistakes - gotta learn from the mistakes too).My challenge is to really know what I'm looking for. -

I know a lot of people in here would say I should have done my due diligence.

I emailed her, scheduled calls in her calendar, no response and no callback.

But setting posts on a footing with a bracket creates a 'hinge point' that is inherently weak. 

Some good advice shared on how to mitigate the cost obstacles you are facing but I am afraid what you perceive as high costs are actually normal costs associated with single family homes of the vintage you purchased.