We host a Subto meetup group in Austin and would be delighted if you could join us.

I've personally worked with a handful of "investor-friendly" lenders, primarily on DSCR loans in recent years, and each time I've run into significant delays, lack of transparency about the process, have been fed the requirements in a piecemeal fashion (every few days there's a new random request rather than having it all organized from the start), and have even run into lenders who were substantially misinformed about the real estate industry or the laws that govern it on both a local and federal level.I think there should be a better site to encourage accountability by tracking how long it actually takes each lender to close their loans on average, and what unexpected hurdles investors encounter when trying to work with them.I can't seem to find such a site.

Generally speaking, ensure your ARV estimates are conservative to avoid over-leveraging, screen tenants thoroughly, and having a buffer for unexpected repairs or vacancies is essential.

my biggest fear is not having enough reserve for a big unexpected item that comes up then I won't be able to pay back a loan or get the property fixed the way I want it to.

Greetings Angie,I am delighted to inform you that I have recently joined the esteemed Biggerpockets forum today.

As an individual landlord, especially one managing remotely, it might be challenging to secure similar terms.Payment Trust: Vendors may also be hesitant to extend credit or prioritize someone they are unfamiliar with, particularly when the owner is based internationally and payment assurances are less certain.Real-Time Issues: Handling urgent maintenance or unexpected issues can be cumbersome without a local presence.

Are there any unexpected benefits?

Having a stable job can help you handle unexpected expenses and save for buying new properties.Many new investors are often looking for deals with good cashflow, but these are usually in less safe areas because they come with higher risks then investors are expecting higher cashflow.I suggest focusing on the long-term growth in property value rather than immediate cashflow.

You will need a safety net for unexpected expenses (repairs, vacancies, etc). 

I would be delighted to assist you and provide information on the available properties.