I would NOT provide a lawnmower, even though it came free - since this creates a liability for you.I would give the tenant a choice:  (a)  they are responsible for their own lawn care / snow removal, or (b) the landlord will take on that responsibility with an additional monthly charge of X. 

My alternative strategy would be to buy and hold a property in an up and coming city/neighborhood and live on the property for a few years. 

The choice is ultimately up to you! 

It reall really depends on the where, neighborhoods there alternate between b- (at best) to d- street by street. i do think long term the area will stabilize and improve, especially with all the flipped homes there and on both sides of Maryland Parkway, but theres still alot of room for improvement.

Neither one is the wrong choice.  

Does anyone have experience with “alternative financing” in Costa Rica?

The alternative (waiting for a downturn) could leave you on the sidelines indefinitely.

You basically have two choices right now, you can put more money down or have a higher monthly payment.  

You can also speak with some agents, get some properties you're interested in, and then fly out there to confirm it's still good after seeing the properties and neighborhood.Another alternative is to find deals in MA, and even NH, southern ME, RI and maybe even CT.

If you do find a rookie agent that's going to make blind low ball offers for you off the bat it probably is not going to be a good use of their time and they will unlikely have the expertise to critique your investment choice.