Your private lenders are presumably making sure their loans are considered commercial.

It is legally presumed you have a negotiating advantage over the public at large.

You want to give the government as little as possible, because you want to keep as much as you possibly can (presumably)Assuming that sequence of events is correct, how do you accomplish #3?

If not, you can go after the tenants for the utilities (presuming the lease specified they needed to put them in their name.)Be sure that when you put the utilities in your name, have the bill sent to YOU not the property or the property manager. 

Then, presumably when you do realize it for retirement down the line, having been taxed every year on 5% of it in NZ, the US will then tax you on what is left.  

Not sure what you mean by 50-60% returns (since you're not putting in any of your own money, presumably).

If you live here, you presumably make more money living here.

The Property Code presumes that 7 days is a reasonable period of time for the Landlord to repair a condition unless there are circumstances which establish that a different period of time is appropriate (such as the severity and nature of the condition and the availability of materials, labor, and utilities.)Tenants have more rights now than they ever have had in the past and Judges are normally on the side of the tenants.

Part of my thought/concern is that sending a letter to someone who's in the real estate field won't elicit a good opportunity because, presumably, they know the market.  

I presume a permit will be ready in 8 weeks