Some people use the sq ft method while others might just estimate every individual job (floors, paint, cabinets, shower, etc).

Get someone in that trade as well.

Hi there,I am curious to what other financing methods are out there for foreign nationals in the US?

Their final numbers are only as good as their info and methods to evaluate that info....what if both are flawed?

My $0.02, if you are open to the idea of finding a new primary and turning your current home into the investment, this is 100% going to be the more cost effective method in terms of financing.

There is an "ABC test", as follows:Under the ABC test, a worker is considered an employee and not an independent contractor, unless the hiring entity satisfies all three of the following conditions:a - The worker is free from the control and direction of the hiring entity in connection with the performance of the work, both under the contract for the performance of the work and in fact;b - The worker performs work that is outside the usual course of the hiring entity’s business; andc - The worker is customarily engaged in an independently established trade, occupation, or business of the same nature as that involved in the work performed.But under B, my business is renting residences, which includes sometimes fixing a broken doorknob. 

Method 1 is much more certain in creating equity to then use on a heloc and method 2 is going straight to work... thoughts. am brand new to the area. very little if any SOI.

As for contacting sellers, you could always go the standard route of a realtor who's likely got methods for reaching out to homeowners.

So my question is, what method do REI in California use to get lists and phone numbers to be able to cold call homeowners interested in selling their properties?? 

Any preferred methods or ideas would be a huge help!