If cash deal, more than likely will not matter if your relative is US citizen or not.  

Or do you just not want to owe your relative?

Keep in mind, your relative would have to either pay $XYZ for rent, or put down $ABC in downpayment, then still have PITI every month to deal with.

And 2: Why would your relative agree to front the deposit?

How did you find the PM, how's your relation with him/her?

Will your relative be on the deed?  

Be very sure to establish an as is price for the house with your relative and be very clear on the terms of how things are divided when you sell.  

In my experience AND opinion it is unlikely, but possible that your relative is one of the most skilled agents. 

Yeah, I know; that's not the case with your relative, it's all somebody else's doing. 

Say, his money plus your labor, then split the net profit 50/50.If you contribute some capital, then another formula I've seen is you take 25% of the profit and then split the rest of the profit according to your relative contributions to the deal.This kind of arrangement is quite likely to be more profitable for him (and less profitable for you).