One of the key challenges I’m facing is understanding the financing options available to someone without Canadian residency or a local credit history.From my research, it seems that a 35% down payment is often required, with interest rates around 7.5-8.5% for non-residents.

Honestly is better spent as a down payment on a second building. 

Hello Kyle,When screening applications for the properties that I manage, I always look for:- Income of at least 3 times the monthly rent (verified through the employer)- Credit score of 580+- Rental verification with past landlords (no outstanding balances, no late payments, and the property left in acceptable condition)- No history of collections, evictions, or criminal offenses- No overdue debt (except medical debt)I have found this screening standard very helpful when finding tenants who pay on time and treat the property well!

I used a HELOC to cover the down payment, appraisal gap, and furniture, allowing me to enter the STR market without depleting cash reserves.

You only need a place to track tenant information, payment history, maintenance, etc.

What would standard down the payment be? 

Together, we have over $200K (mostly in stock market investments), and our parents may help with the down payment.

With value-add, I know I'm getting at least some of my capital out when I'm done and I'll end up with a house that should not need any significant cap-ex for quite a while.I'd do turnkey too if the numbers looked good enough but the reality is in the market where I have boots on the ground you're talking about close to 60k between down payment and closing costs for maybe $200/month in cash flow.

.- get into real estate with a lower rate and lesser percentage down payment.

You might also look into learning about BRRRR (Buy, Rehab, Rent, Refinance, Repeat), a popular method for scaling a portfolio.Network Locally: Engaging with local investors and attending meetups in markets like Dallas or Fort Worth can provide insights and connections that are invaluable.You'll find that momentum grows quickly.