I'm going to explain to the seller he needs to have an environmental test done to see if in fact the ground is contaminated.

I have been trying to get off the ground for 6 months now.

We conduct Phase I ESAs during due diligence which are supposed to uncover these.

Hi, I'm new to BP... still very much in the "gathering information" phase as I learn about real estate business models and investment strategies.

The values on any website such as trulia, Redfin, Zillow etc are not accurate.If you have less than $20k to invest I would suggest partnering with someone since you are out of the country and will need to set up entities etc here in the US so I would suggest having some "boots on the ground" also by partnering you could learn more about our markets and laws etc.

For a few reasons, we have begun to look into the maryland market, particularly Salisbury Maryland or Quantico area as we have some good 'boots on the ground' locally there. 

Finding a really good full service property management company could make that really passive, or you can take a more active role by listing it on vrbo/airbnb/etc. and handling management yourself, but having a good team of boots on the ground for turnovers and issues. 

I mention that because I adjusted a claim for this two weeks ago.I have seen a few other people in my neighborhood trying to clean their roofs while standing on the ground assuming that they are safe.

If they're having problems paying the rent then most likely an eviction would proceed on those grounds. 

Agree that the Roth IRA is a nice idea (wish I put in more when I was young and qualified on income, eligibility phases out if you make too much)....And you are clearly a budding landlord, already renting out a room and on BP, so saving for the second rental property down payment sounds like an idea.