I’d appreciate any input you can offer on everything from financing to construction challenges.

Highly recommend starting close to you so you can get eyes on the property if you do decide to purchase a true rental. 

Arbitrage is one of the most challenging models to accomplish nowadays.

Not true.  

Now, how to determine which ones continue to operate with high integrity is challenging. 2.

I was taught this my the principal of one of the largest industrial REITs in the country and it has always proven to be true.

Depending on the lender (bank or alt. lender) you have to look at origination fees....points, doc prep, interest rate, frequency draws are allowed/min. draw amount allowed per request, interest payments vs. interest reserve & whether interest reserve is capitalized to fully understand the true cash requirements.

When I return to the country after my Au Pair contract ends, I hope to live in the property as my primary residence and house-hack as well.I understand that investing remotely makes things more challenging, but I am also ready to be uncomfortable and challenge myself in this journey as I know it is 100% possible.

While you’ll get your initial investment back, the first 5 years will be challenging due to the ongoing costs.Let me know if you have any further questions or want to explore these numbers in more detail—I’d be happy to help!

This is true for me anyway.