My logic is, I would be paying for a lease so I might has well build up equity in a mortgage instead and if I found a fixer-upper then have equity also.How did you find this deal and how did you negotiate it?

Finding a good mentor can help, education helps, sources like BP can help ultimately action is required.  

How did you find this deal and how did you negotiate it?

@Don Panchamsingh most folks who visit Panama from the US/Canada find their way to Coronado area...so if you need a place to stay, we do have our house available for rent.

You can find reliable lease agreement templates through legal platforms like Rocket Lawyer or LawDepot.

I want to begin investing with a house hack, but more generally use this position (with it specifically being in the RE industry) as a jumping-off point for a career in investing, eventually full-time. 

The Hunter - finds the deals, networks with brokers, risk tolerant2.

Sometimes, you can find and qualify for a 0% interest rate credit card for the first 12-18 months.

I have been finding out the high costs of conversion if the site isn't ideal for it.

Many services offer this, a simple google search should find you a firm.