The downside is they usually come with higher interest rates and shorter loan terms.Partnerships or Co-signers: If your husband or a trusted partner has U.S. legal status and credit history, they might be able to co-sign or help with financing.Cash Purchases: Since you have savings in Canada, you might consider using that for your first property, especially for a smaller rehab project.Foreign National Loans: Some lenders specialize in providing loans for foreign nationals.

If there are clear signs of negligence (kid throws down, paper towels, food, fats) then you can get the invoice from the plumber with the notes and present it to them. 

They may balk at that wanting you or your agent to do the leg work of putting paperwork together but they may do that and if they do the seller would be signing that counter offer of $645k.

Bandit signs, cold calls/texting along with direct mail is the method most people use.

We do not have any signed contracts in place. 

We already signed the purchase agreement several months ago...it has been on hold while they mitigated a pest control issue that has taken 2 months.If it's that important, make it part of your purchase agreement.

Me and my girlfriend are currently saving to purchase a home within the next year or so to start house hacking, my concern is how signing the lease option to purchase contract will affect our eligibility for first time home buyer programs? 

with auto-pay options, automatic late fees, and reminders, lease signing, security deposit collection, etc. 

What is your opinion and how did you get signed up with them.

I will do my homework on long distance REI (even tho the markets are 1-2 hours away), but have a couple questions- What are some of your key metrics/signs you use when identifying a new market?