Employees must live there for 5 years to keep the full benefit, and it is prorated by 20% every year until fully forgiven.In the neighborhoods north of Delmar $8500 would be enough downpayment to buy some of the nicest houses with 3% down.Keller Williams Young Professionals hosted a lecture by Hank (Henry) Webber, executive vice chancellor and chief administrative officer at Washington University, Board Chair of Cortex Innovation Community and Invest STL, and Board member of the Arch to Park Collaborative.Some points from his lecture:- St.

I don't want to sell them.Rent to own is generally not successfully executed by the tenant. 

In my mind its better to go pitch your concept or idea put the money together then go forward and execute. 

What makes the most sense, using a contractor to execute the rehab or go with the more hands on approach?

This in effect gives you a no risk short term option to purchase.Once you have an executed purchase contract, and assuming money for a suitable down payment, you become a serious player in the eyes of a lender.

Come back to the states having a plan and be ready to execute.

Congrats, great to have a plan and execute on it. 

@Andrew Ager When executing any real estate investing strategy you either need to have the money or access to it.

Once you get it back, you sign it and consider it executed.

Sorry for the ignorance but I am new to this and trying hard to get the momentum rolling while gathering information and executing at the same time.