You will find people have been successful in a ton of different ways. 

Again, proving my identity is different than them keeping my ID on file.

My question is - if I wanted to take a loan out against that property to pay debt I owe in a different country and buy an investment property in a different country:1. would I be taxed on it? 

In my opinion, there are better locations for STR investments.I beg to differ with @Mike Lambert, I don't think the "ship has sailed in Tulum". 

You will meet people from different walks of life that will give you different perspectives on real estate investing.

I have also never been in a position to have a substantially larger down payment in order to be considering a different REI strategy that house hacking. 

That could be one contractor depending on what is needed or several for different specialties like electric, plumbing, drywall, and so on.

A 5X factor difference in just 10 years. 

Here are some common financing options:Traditional Mortgage: Obtain financing from banks with a down payment, paying off over time with interest.Hard Money Loans: Short-term loans with higher interest rates, often from private investors, suitable for quick acquisitions or credit-challenged investors.Private Money Lenders: Individuals or groups offering direct loans, with terms negotiated privately.Seller Financing: Buyers make payments directly to sellers over an agreed period, with terms negotiated between parties.Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC): Borrow against existing property equity with a revolving credit line, typically offering flexibility.Real Estate Crowdfunding: Pool funds with other investors via online platforms for various real estate projects, offering diverse investment opportunities.1031 Exchange: Defer capital gains taxes by reinvesting sale proceeds into similar properties within a specific timeframe, useful for tax optimization.REITs (Real Estate Investment Trusts): Invest indirectly in real estate through publicly traded companies, offering liquidity and diversification.Joint Ventures/Partnerships: Collaborate with other investors to share resources and risks, leveraging each other's strengths for larger projects.Subject To Financing: Buy a property subject to the existing mortgage that's in place on the property (doesn't get paid off when the property sells).Assumable Mortgage: Buy a property and assume the mortgage that the seller already has in place.Lease Option: Rent a property with the option to buy it prior to a later date.Debt Service Credit Ratio (DSCR): A loan approved based on the income potential of the propertyThese options cater to different investor needs, preferences, and financial situations, providing flexibility in real estate investment strategies.Thanks,

Over the decades I have witnessed how his brain is wired differently and how easily he can "see" problems and with patience and skill fix them properly.