If I find a deal on an area I would consider living when I move back I would like to be able to pull the trigger and possibly refinance into an owner-occupier loan once I move back to the US.  

@Denise Brown-Puryear I am biased as I co-own BIFI Loan Servicing.

Once construction is complete you could refinance out of the construction loan into a DSCR loan.

FHA loans can be a good option here, allowing you to put down a lower down payment.## NetworkingNetworking is key in real estate investing.

I'd target areas near colleges or transit hubs for affordable properties, and I’d look into financing options like FHA loans or creative financing to make the most of my capital.

Based on our 1031 and commercial loan, we are trying to figure out how to separate out some of the duds.

Can't you get a conventional loan?

My original loan amount is $323K, balance left $319K at 7% and 28 yrs and 8 months left.

I mean, don't get me wrong, we have to comp the property...so if you are looking to REHAB the property and make it something different, then you need a rehab loan first and then refinance after type of thing. 

Loans at 4% Returns at 5% but hard to find that these days...dollar is surprisingly strong.