As a resident (who travels a lot) I would say the Midwest does not have the attractions like palm trees & beaches (the great lakes are cold) or amazing mountain ranges, which often come with some disadvantages like high cost of living or hut/humid weather, stroms etc. 

As lenders, well issue a prequal/preapproval letter if we've analyzed your income, assets (bank and brokerage statements to establish that you have the liquidity to afford the down payment, closing costs, and reserves), review credit of the guarantors, review the relevant experience to ensure that we're not throwing our money away on newbies that are wandering around in the dark, and have put together a reasonable plan of attack for the project.

Based on the tenor of your posts, I've got to ask - do you have your primary residence squared away?

Save...it takes a lot more money than most new investors believe (don't drink the Kool-aid that you can get in cheap) and residing outside the US will be seen as a substantial risk to most lenders which will limit your financing options. 

We're not even sure where the extra went, and are feeling like we're stumbling along in the dark. 

Investment Info:Single-family residence buy & hold investment.

A shopping mecca five times bigger than Lakeline Mall, a 21st century mega-factory, an ever-growing Apple campus and a somewhat secret but sizable spot occupied by Tesla.With a population increase from 2020 to 2023 of 14.5%, Williamson County is clocking more new residents than all other counties in this fast-growing region.

If it was for a personal residence I might be a little more concerned but I feel like $5000 worth of work isn’t very significant.

@Tove Fox - Residential Real Estate InvestingPros:Lower Entry Costs: Easier to get started with less capital required.High Demand: People always need homes, making demand relatively stable.Easier Financing: Mortgages are generally easier to secure with favorable terms.Simplicity: Easier to understand and manage, especially for beginners.Flexibility: You can use it as a personal residence or rent it out.Cons:Tenant Turnover: More frequent turnover leads to vacancy and more management.Lower Cash Flow: Income potential can be modest compared to commercial properties.Emotional Buyers: Residential prices can be influenced by emotions, leading to price volatility.Maintenance Burden: Landlords often deal with repairs and maintenance, which can be time-consuming.Commercial Real Estate InvestingPros:Higher Income Potential: Stronger cash flow and higher returns are common.Long-Term Leases: Tenants often sign longer leases (3-10 years), reducing vacancy risk.Professional Tenants: Business tenants tend to take better care of the property.Valuation Based on Income: Prices are based on the income the property generates, not market emotions.Shared Costs: Tenants often cover property expenses like taxes, insurance, and maintenance (via triple-net leases).Cons:High Entry Costs: Requires more capital or partnerships to get started.Complex Management: More expertise is needed; you may need a professional property manager.Economic Sensitivity: Commercial properties are more sensitive to economic conditions.Challenging Financing: Securing financing can be harder, with stricter terms and higher interest rates.Zoning and Legalities: More complex regulations compared to residential properties.Key Differences:Risk: Residential tends to be lower risk, while commercial offers higher rewards but with greater risk.Management: Residential is easier for DIY investors, while commercial properties usually require a team.Scalability: Commercial properties are easier to scale, offering more potential for significant cash flow increases.

@Jonathan Greene I'm not sure what you mean by "most will not cash flow as an out-of-country investor" as it might suggest that the cash-flow of a given property has something to do with the nationality or residence of the owner but, in any case, you're absolutely correct that, historically, the net rental yields of LTRs in US cash-flow markets like the Mid-West have been typically higher than in the average European market, although that wouldn't be the case for many other US markets like California or New York.