Here are additional comments:1) Buying out of state removes any local knowledge you have from assisting in your success, including knowing areas, people and costs. - We always recommend buying your first rental locally if possible and DIY managing to learn as much as possible before investing OOS.2) Lots of crooks and incompetents in the PMC world:( They both cost you money.- As already stated, you'll have a small portfolio.

When I ran the numbers compared to US real estate, the added leverage potential here meant that it was not worth the additional hassle to continue investigating Dubai. 

I should add it will be a short term rental property. 

Additionally, some states hold Escrow and Title services differently. 

I agree and additionally I'd recommend going down to the store and actually feeling them.

From a tax standpoint, there are additional disclosures to make when selling a business asset for less than fair market value to a related third party. 

We're fortunate to have an above-average income and live well below our means.This summer, we’ll be moving to Detroit (PCSing in August), and we’ve saved about $120,000 to invest in addition to having funds set aside for the home we’ll purchase in Detroit.The reason I’m posting is that I’m struggling to decide how to best allocate the $120k.

Looking at this as a strategic addition to my portfolio.

Additionally, lenders may require a release price (a specific amount to pay down the loan) for each property sold, which can complicate the strategy.It’s worth discussing these details with a trusted lender or mortgage broker to ensure the plan aligns with the loan’s terms.

But you do have the room sharing.. in Cupertino were you have a huge Asian population I know folks that will put two computer kids in each room for 4 bed house 8 techies and each paying 1k to 1500 a month.. can just about make it work since the houses are 2 mil.