Foreign National programs sometimes require that you have US credit and most will want you to have a US-based bank account.

Set up a contracts account at both Lowes and HD. 

It can just be held in a savings account, no special account needed, but I always keep mine in an account separate from anything else.

I'm an accountant by trade.

However, I've learned a lot from that experience and am willing start over again- Make sure you stay on the top of them and fully account for the draws being taken as if they (Builder) have multiple projects I've seen where one individual's draw gets comingled with another property.

The designer talked about has a completely different account then the designers I usually recommend, and I would have had red flags to begin with.

Rather than use credit score as a criteria, I reject for consumer accounts in collections and unpaid civil judgments.

When you pay cash for a $400,000 home and rent it out, your rate of return will likely be less than 6%.You could invest in stocks and earn 7% or better.You could put the money in a high-interest savings account and earn up to 5%.I don't understand why anyone would pay cash for real estate, erasing many benefits that increase the rate of return, while exposing themselves to the risk of loss (turnover costs, bad tenants, capex, etc.). 

I’d hold the PM accountable for poor oversight—they should’ve been more proactive.That said, it’s also important to weigh the long-term relationship with your PM.

Don to me  passive you are not on the Checking account and Active you are on the checking account.