Here's how it works:If their deposit is $1,500, they can either choose to pay the SD in full or elect to take out what is essentially a loan with Rhino Insurance and only pay $25 per month ($20 goes to Rhino and the remaining $5 goes to the PM company) toward their $1,500 SD.

Part of my issue was not having a reasonably priced handyman ahead of time and eventually overpaying to just get it done and also inexperience as a manager.With that said, you essentially have two options: very cheap properties in less good areas (you're looking at 100k or less--which you might have trouble getting a good lender for)  or trying to do some sort of house hack (e.g. live in flip, live in rent by the room, multifamily) where you budget will be closer to 200k-300k.Personally, I would not look at real estate until you are maxing out your 401k and IRA, but lots of folks have done significantly better with real estate than stocks and would think I'm crazy for suggesting this.

The process and management will take you 1-5 youtube videos to learn about. 

Essentially, if you have the cash/equity, and buying 1/2 per year with a long term vision, I would keep it simple.

An agent sent me a video tape of a fourplex in this area that made it seem pretty good.

Watched some You tube videos about some ways, specifically creating a property LLC with WY LLC being a member manager LLC for the property LLC. 

@Carl Rowles get someone over there to document the damages with a ton of pics AND a narrated video - you may need this for any insurance claim.Regarding your insurance, many of the residential insurers: Allstate, Farmers, State Farm, etc., have a clause that makes your policy invalid if the property is vacant for more than 30 days.- Check with your insurance agent ASAP.You'll need to file a claim and get a claim number.Try to get an insurance adjustor in ASAP, so you can start pumping water out, removing all water damaged drywall and get dehumidifiers in. - Note: the insurance company's adjustor will try to minimize your claim amount.

Tenant took photos and videos but nothing detailed - a single shot or two of a room from the entrance, so is saying fridge was fine, normal wear etc Next - If we are being nice and deducting ‘portions’ of the charges and tenant continues to grind away, or this goes to court, do the compromise and smaller amounts offered negate the full amounts that could have been charged

The LLC would essentially serve as a business checking account to collect rental payments from your roommates/tenants and potential write-offs for expenses such as property repairs/maintenance.

He has tons of videos on each country and the viability of the asset for people buying internationally.