Quote from @Steven Stanimirovic: Hi Rich,The prepayment penalties you’ve encountered are quite standard with DSCR loans, as lenders often structure these penalties (commonly called "step-down prepayment penalties") to offset the risk of early loan payoff.

First you need to learn to separate the following:Maintenance: usually things related to wear & tear or tenant damage.Repairs: usually broken items like doors & windows, caused by tenant or nature.Capital Improvements: usually expensive things that wear out: hot water tanks, furnaces, roofs, etc.The seller is correct that Repairs & Capital Improvement items should not be a factor for awhile (ALWAYS get your own inspection to confirm).

This allows you to buy using a LO, but you don't have to sell to the tenant, which allows you to have a standard tenant in place. 

Only thing better would be initial deposit and then paid in full upon Certificate of Occupancy and punchlist complete.Of course, standard items should also be checked: licensed, insured, willing and able to pull all required permits, reference checks.I would also commonly avoid the cheapest bid you get.  

The lender must satisfy the standard documentation requirements based on the source and type of income as outlined in Chapter B3–3, Income Assessment.All documents of a foreign origin must be completed in English, or the originator must provide a translation, attached to each document, and ensure the translation is complete and accurate.Note: All income must be translated to U.S. dollars.

It’s a good idea to confirm you have a path to record title in a way that’s financeable, even though this isn’t a standard fee-simple sale.The big question is whether it’s reasonable to pay a market-rate price when you’re not actually scooping up the land.

I generally agree that buying SFH as first investment is an easy way to test the waters; however, if you’re set on REI I suggest buying a duplex or quad.

@Tyler Kesling  Adding to the above great points, start with 2-4 units as it's standard conventional financing.  5+ units is commercial and somewhat of a different ballgame.   

NJ investor myself - happy to help you navigate these unique waters! 

Doesn’t meet Green standards.