I'll vouch for what Jeff mentioned and will state that if your next lender (or current) is investor friendly then they will be able to count both units of your rental with executed rental agreements. 

My husbands uncle ( 70 years old) has a home he owes about $50,000 on.. current mortgage is $650.. he also has some credit card debt to the tune of $10,000.. with his social security he barely gets by and counts every penny.Here where the real estate investment part comes in...bare with meThe home is in dire need of rehabbing.. but he has no money to do the repairs.. in the current state the house might fetch $110,000.. comps in the area for moderate upgrades sell for $185,000-$210,00..He considered selling cheap to get out and buying a condo.. but he would still be cash poor.. he figures what he could sell the house for would pay off the credit card debt, and give him some money down on a condo..

I doubt that any bank/credit union would count my last two years of foreign earned income towards any loan and it won't look good applying for my first property without a job.

When you get the requisite employment history (plus the solid credit you already have), you might aim for a 2-4 unit property as a first home purchase (2-4 units counts as residential and there are some great loan programs to look into). 

i hope to have my offer drafted and sent this week if all goes well today.I am slightly nervous about it not being under contract yet...crossing my fingers on this one that she didn't consider any other buyers.  

His explanation was that what counts are the clauses that you add, that will protect us as landlords but by reading multiple forums about residential lease, I've learned that it's not as simple as adding any clause you like. 

Also, depending on the bank you might be able to use your rental income to offset your debts and count towards your DTI.

It also is a shield when relatives or friends cross boundaries and ask you to rent to them when you know they can't afford it. 

Door number one duplex 3% down. 75k = $2250  (I lived in one side, so I'm not counting my door)Door number two $20k = $2k down + backroom bank loan (sort of like a personal loan)Doors 3,4,5,and 6 $110k = $0 down it was in the time of creative loans and financing. 

is right, put traps literally surrounding the house, and inside as well to get any that cross the lines.