She said she'll prepare the offer and contract (in PA, the offer is the written contract).

.- Also, do loans with private lenders appear on my credit report?

Be prepare to pay for retail pricing if you are looking on MLS.

I strongly advise you find a competent CPA or tax preparer, who is experienced in real estate.

You can have someone prepare your US return here and then have someone in Canada prepare that one.

I've been pondering on withdrawing the money and using the funds towards updating my personal residence in preparation for renting it out.

I see all of these ads for hard money lending but I don't want to apply for anything and take a hit on my credit score which I have been dutifully rebuilding after a divorce a few years back.  

Indiana gives a tax CREDIT of up to 20% of the first $5000 invested each year.  

I do have credit but for the last 3-4 years I have always paid cash and used a debit card.  

My credit is full with our house and school loans, and my husband just started to get credit a few months ago.