If you're going direct to the seller I have found the more you can outline and explain objectively how you've arrived at your offer can usually make that number more palatable.

This applies even if you aren't planning to buy until after you arrive. 

If true, that may make a decision easier to arrive at!

They should arrive with the correct forms and payment to purchase the property, including your assignment fee.

Especially if they tell you they want to pay you up front and then they will arrive later.If someone has actually showed up, looked at the place and wants to rent it, then perhaps its a legitimate deal.

I am also interested in learning more about the area, as we haven't arrived there yet.  

Dear BP Friends,We are seriously considering signing a lease with a tenant who is a teacher from Spain.He is here for a one year contract teaching at a local elementary school which we know and respect.We understand there is not a way to run a credit check and background check as he is just recently entered the U.S.We understand he will provide his new ss# and passport.However our real estate agent tells us an NTN check may not reveal any useful data, as there will be no previous addresses or history in the U.S. as he only arrived here last month.

Impressive @James Wise, but you have note "really" arrived until you make Natalie's blog where she trashes you while talking about "Life Challenges" and other holistic healing mumbo jumbo.   

While you do that you can continue to analyze other potential deals and be ready to buy when another opportunity arrives.

I'm not clear what you mean by "waive" when filing for taxes.You will incur those expenses, but they will be deducted proportionally to rented square footage to arrived at your taxable income.Regardless, I would not consider the tax impact when house hacking.