Accounting method?

As experienced self-directed investor @Larry F. gave you some good tips, and it seems that you did a good job educating yourself.As a real estate agent and notary you are considered to be self-employed, therefor qualify for truly self-directed Solo 401k plan.

Are there any other methods for a Canadian with no US credit history? 

What did he use as a secondary method to value; cash flow or cost  to build.

I personally dont contribute in the Retirement plan right now because I can always resume when I am making more money, and plan to have other kinds of Retirement plan that will let me contribute a lot more than normal limitation for an employed worker. 

I see UTC as both a draw to the youth and retirees since one is able to take public transportation to employment centers of Sorrento Valley, the entertainment of the UTC Mall, get to Petco Park, Old Town, Downtown San Diego Mission Valley.

Also, in my state I can't offload snow removal -- I'm liable for it.At the price point your talking about, the BRRR method can work very well and quite quickly.

As far as running their background, there are a couple international programs that can do it, but I'd rather just verify visa, proof of income, and verify with the school or with their employer. 

I’d definitely recommend employing a value add strategy regardless of which path you take.I’m house hacking a 4plex in an A+ city in the East Bay, but those types deals are extremely rare and you have to be well connected to the brokerage community to have any shot at getting them.

I know there's a lot about intent, and intent is hard to prove, but in general flips are indeed taxed with an extra 15% self-employment tax if it's considered actively generated income (you're running a small business).