We have a handful of rentals and 2 small businesses. 

-If you do a long term rental, how do you pay back the hard money lender/private lender (if you use one)?

Part of it is the higher cost of operating a business there, and part of it is that the Contractors know that they can ask higher $$ and usually get it.

hahaMicro economics are always different to macro and investors that solely rely on online market stats/demographics will miss the point.Online stats and demographics will never beat "feet on the ground" and real life day to day knowledge of what happens on the ground.For example, we know when a mosquito does a fart and Mike P always messages me privately about what new strip club is opening in Toledo and when heheOnline stats never reveal such things haha 

Do you have any suggestions for hard money, private, or even conventional lenders who might be willing to finance a property purchase outside of the country?

The rent is your income on your investment business. 

I can also form a LLC but can't operate or engage in any business activity.

@Collin HendersonI think the best move is to find a private money lender to loan you the money for the rehab, then refinance into a conventional loan.

My understanding is the 10% down loans have tightened up and are much more difficult to get.Start with banks you already do business with and local credit unions.I have used Associated Credit Union and Rocket mortgage.

My dream house consists of a 5k square foot shop with a 1b 1b room attached but the wife wont let that pass.335i for daily98 land cruiser for off roading/camping/overlanding91 240sx-first car, 400hp garage queensold my race car and shifter cart to focus on the RE business and its working!