A quick Internet search of "Costa Rica Mortgage Loans" turned up a couple of brokers and private equity offerings.You could also try to get the seller to finance part of the purchase price.Or borrow it from your 401K, if you have one.Depending on your credit score, it might also be worth looking at rates from a local credit union, bank, or even Prosper or Lending Club for a personal loan rather than a real-estate secured loan.

At those entry points you actually have good terms, is it a credit union?

Rentals are a GREAT way to expand your portfolio and even more so around military bases. 

I just started my career in the U.S. military and am hoping to have my first assignment in Europe, specifically Germany.

There are plenty of small banks, credit unions, non-bank lenders who do not report to credit bureaus but that does NOT mean you do not have a debt.

I have gone all in investing in this area, with the military population, tourism demand, healthcare population, etc - it is attractive for so many reasons.

For reference, I currently live in San Francisco, CA, and am willing to relocate anywhere if the opportunity is right, but preferably would love to find something up in NorCal.I am a military veteran, but I am currently unemployed to go to college using my GI Bill as a source of income.

We have done our borrowing with the local credit union.

I am not in Military so my knowledge of Va is limited based off how long you have to live there, if you can refinance into regular loan later on once you have some equity etc.

If you already explored that option I would reach out to a regional credit union that holds their own loans in their portfolio.