Does anyone have experience with “alternative financing” in Costa Rica?

The alternative (waiting for a downturn) could leave you on the sidelines indefinitely.

You can also speak with some agents, get some properties you're interested in, and then fly out there to confirm it's still good after seeing the properties and neighborhood.Another alternative is to find deals in MA, and even NH, southern ME, RI and maybe even CT.

I would ask the builder to put down a larger deposit in light of the transient, unnumbered, changing, or unverified nature of the tenants (if legal)2.

If you have no cash for the downpayment, but have other assets that are NOT investment properties, then whether you can use your assets as collateral depends on the nature of the assets. 

You can also do a google search for "coin operated laundry alternative" which may or may not work.

I thought this might be a good alternative and he’ll me start slow... 

@Kimberly McCall hi, welcome, @Dan Gamache numbers provided above are statistically accurate.One thing that I should mention as an alternative, if you own your home, is a HELOC.

If you had to use an alternative income documentation loan, or another type of non-QM loan that allows some other qualification such as shorter time from foreclosure or bankruptcy, then having a DTI over 43% or over 45% can affect interest rate.  

Ill research it to death, researcher by nature.