Personal guarantees are EXTREMELY common.

Your ability to connect with them on a personal level matters more than your offer.Think about it:  • The “Used Car Salesman” is only focused on closing the deal as fast as possible.

Are you able to go there in person to build your network? 

So they price those homes at what a willing homeowner will pay for their personal residence.

Tell me - someone selling their home to your son, Subject-To - is this a person who has made good life choices? 

With a Conventional Loan you can buy a SFH, Duplex, Triplex or Quadplex with as little as 5% Down if it is your primary residence as long as you have the intention of occupying one of the units for 1 year after closing escrow.This is the strategy I have personally implemented and have assisted many of my investor clients in doing the same. 20% Down is also beneficial as it keeps your payment low but it does limit your ability of buying more real estate faster.i would be more than happy to discuss the different strategies with you over the phone or in person.

I was thinking if I can talk to my neighbor about sharing the cost (I, the landlord, personally provide labor and my neighbor provide material (e.g. fence pickets)).

The GSEs, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, both allow the use of foreign income under certain circumstances.In the personal tax returns provided by a borrower, you may see an IRS Form 2555, which identifies the foreign earned income.

You'll want to put together a personal financial statement (basically lists of all your assets and liabilities) and have your tax returns ready.

I got a deal on labor as I know the contractor personally and helped out a bit with the project.