For years and years, at a high level, they invested their float into a few buckets, Bonds, equities, Real Estate, with the lions share going to bonds that were AA and AAA rated.

In this case, the After Repaired Value, ARV, did not rise to the level needed.

We went up a level to add a true master suite, additional bedrooms/bathrooms.

I like entry level fix and flip projects for first time buyer price ranges.

It's cheap and just adds an extra level of protection.4.

Otherwise, it will simply impact your income and you will pay based on your income tax level that year. 

Congress (at teh fed level) hasn't mandated it for themselves but you are for your tenants?  

Mind you, if interest rates were ever to return to a normal level in the US or Canada (something like around 6%), the property market would inevitably tank as it did in 2007-8 as the CAP rates are generally currently below that interest rate level.Short-term rentals work great in Mexico because of much lower property prices, operational costs and taxes, potentially higher income and no (danger of) unfavourable short-term regulations.BiggerPockets is awesome but it's mostly US-centric and you cannot copy/paste everything when investing in another country.

You will have a good idea of what your debt levels are. 

Where is your personal comfort level?