We have been able to get some great deals simply by doing extra research that the average person wasn't willing to do.

Thoughtful extras, such as welcome baskets or well-stocked kitchens with basic spices, can make a stay memorable.

Thank you for sharing your experience here; it’s a good reminder to be extra careful when dealing with properties like this.This post has definitely made me realize how important it is to double-check zoning and property classifications before closing on a deal.

If they had invested their earnings while they played, they wouldn't need me to teach them real estate.

You can always build in a small extra fee for a realtor if its an off market property.

And assuming a 0% return on the $200k you could have in the bank earning $10k/year if you sold. 

If you don't need the extra money at closing and just want to pay off your current loan in hopes of a better rate, you could consider a rate term refi instead. 

Since you're a citizen but you live and work abroad you'd still qualify mostly for second homes occupancy or investor non owner occupancy (primary is hard to claim if your job requires you to be physically next to the office as an example so an underwriter isnt going to readily believe you unless you can get HR to write you a letter to state you're remotely capable of earning this income/job duties anywhere).Hopefully that helps let me know if you have further questions into mortgage planning.

One effective strategy to maximize unit potential is to explore opportunities for adding extra units, especially in C-Class properties.

They’re built for heavy use and have faster drying times—usually 30–45 minutes—without needing major electrical changes.If you’re up for a bigger investment, adding extra stackable units in the garage could be a great long-term fix, though it’ll mean some electrical work and setting up proper ventilation.I’d probably go for the commercial upgrade in your current space first—it’s quicker and might solve the bottleneck right away.