Now the way I do it today I already pay the app fee - I credit the app fee to the first month's rent when the lease is signed. 

Please feel free to drop tips and advice anytime.

I do some brokering and we do a $199 (refundable) app fee to weed out the tire kickers that's applied to closing and covers the BPO and a few other fixed costs, so a small amount up front isn't necessarily a bad thing, but $2500 is crazy.As has been stated, a private lender is just that, someone you know that will lend you money.

I have no perspective from that side of the transaction and would appropriate any help/tips.

TIP: Make sure you definitely research.

At the moment I been browsing real estate apps.

@George CalbertHi George,A bunch of us are in a similar situation - living in Korea but wanting to invest in the US.We ended up forming a meetup - if you're interested in learning about it check out my profile for the URL.We've had a bunch of BP folks visit virtually and give us tips, etc.Most of the investors in our group either:* Have Turnkey investments* Have people on the ground watching their investments* Or in my case, formed a JV with people I met through BPIt's always a risk to do business with someone overseas without meeting them.

Looking to invest in the next month with great actionable tips heard thru there and books recommended. hope you're ready for the adventure as well.

@Tim Herndon thanks for the tip!

Thanks for the tip on posting the numbers on the buy and sell board.