We’ve been gathering information about the rental property market in Japan in terms of realistic expectations for yields, as well as a reasonable timeline for getting started and generating income to support our family. 

Or will hiring a PM and reno team be a more realistic avenue for you (especially if you are looking for an area outside of where you are where the RE market may be hotter)After you find the answers to theses questions, I'd hunt down a great agent in your desired area and start searching! 

Realistically, if you have a connection to all the vendors necessary and the property is in an area where the quality of tenants will be good, you do not need a PM.

You compromised your lendability by taking write-offs to show you didn't make much so in a bank's eyes, you didn't make much.Any alternatives that are come here (sub to, seller finance) aren't realistic for a regular home buyer.

After researching VestRight and Cody Bjugan extensively, including other threads on this forum, his course/strategy sounds difficult but realistic and lucrative.

Ensure the renovation costs and timelines are realistic.

Realistically it's been over 4 years since I communicated with those contacts so it's outdated information.

Some of the books I've read paint what seems like a pretty rosy picture, so I appreciate this realistic response. 

Realistically I am not in a financial situation to jump into a deal.

FHA streamlined (rehab <= $35k) - is it realistic to add enough value with maximum rehab cost of $35k in this area to add value to property/rents?