Buying a property for your mom that you have to put money into each month even after the mortgage is paid off (taxes, insurance, maintenance) will only work if you have significant appreciation to offset that, which is what you probably experienced in California (and I experienced in Canada). 

I've tried BMO (BMO Harris), and I will most likely try RBC, but usually it's a US credit card or mortgage, but correct me if I'm wrong, but it doesn't build your US Credit history.

What documents do they require, what credit scores do they allow, how do they verify previous rental history, etc.?

Texas property tax sales.

These supposed tax savings though… where are they?

2 years of tax returns ? 

Highest credit score, highest income, all measurable objective facts?

@Yocheved Beer Lender's customarily will not provide credit for imputed equity for merely purchasing a property well.

Q4) How would the parents' ROI (interest pmt received) be taxed?

**Uncertain Future Costs:** Final costs, including maintenance fees and property taxes, may be higher than initially projected.