Quote from @Jerome Boudreaux:  If you're trying to get started in real estate investing and you have VA eligibility, using your VA loan is a great way to start.

We are considering investing in Houston as foreign investors (from Belgium), our goal is to find and start with a long-term rental single or multi family home. 

From there, you can start comparing markets based on profitability, demand, and distance.

An LLC isn't necessary when starting, in the long term, it may be worth exploring.

This kind of govt nosiness and overreach is why I initially decided against the financial planning industry before starting in credit. you can thank 2008 and all the fraud that went on for that.

I recently started my own STR management company and I'm thinking about starting a referral partner program for real estate agents.

I'm not completely foreign to the construction process as I grew up around a family that was involved in home building, but due to living in another state I can't really lean on them for the direct, hands-on guidance. 

There are easier strategies to start your new venture.

If anyone has an end lender that has successfully closed a handful occupied padsplit loans and can underwrite based off actual padsplit rents I would really appreciate an intro.

Great question - start the refi process now while you're working on getting it rented.