You won’t have a payment if you don’t use it, just like a credit card. 

My wife and I have jobs and our credit score is roughly 580.

Examine several investing opportunities while taking your interests, risk tolerance, and available funds into account.

I pay off my credit cards, and save like crazy for the next down payments.  

As an accountant, I would agree with the best practice you shared of handing out W9 forms to contractors at the first meeting or before payment.

@Joseph Weisenbloom - I normally don't counter sign leases before receiving cashier checks or the funds in my account for the security deposit and first months rent.

And do you need a bank account dedicated to the LLC? 

And when you account for appreciation that doesn't appear to be changing in the next few years, you could lose more by waiting a year for the "best deal" instead of paying $10-$20k more right now and starting to save from your house-hacking venture. 

@Pedro Adolfo Garcia first thing is to check with your country regarding rules and tax laws for investing outside the country.Next step would be to set up an LLC in the US then get your EIN and set up a bank account, preferably with one who will grant a loan to foreign corporations or investors.

My wife has an appt with her VRBO account manager tomorrow to hopefully find out more info.