My belief for SFR is that prices simply don't move much and grow slower than inflation.

Please, no solicitations.Use the renovation/acquisition loan products that require 10% down on the purchase and you should be able to get a few going at a time.

However, required downpayments were typically 40-50%, and would be difficult without a residency visa.

As I said earlier, this is strictly for investment purposes.The property does not have to be turnkey, if there is room for improvement that's of no concern as we both have the skill set to invest in whatever upgrades are required.

Many insurance policies also require re-development within two years, a near impossible timeline in a region with the coastal commission, perhaps only second to Manhattan in terms of permitting and red tape.

This model simply wouldn’t work for me.

Getting a good painter at a reasonable price requires persistence and comparison shopping.

The fix/flip might be a good way to get such a relationship started: usually has lower cash out of pocket requirements and you can sell the property faster to recoup the capital invested, plus any profits.

This can be done, it just requires finding the right lender.

Do have an idea of your preferred acquisition price and how much rehab might be required?