Quote from @Stetson Oates: The vast majority of disputes are over security deposits and the most a landlord could lose is 3x the deposit amount.Slip-and-fall or other major lawsuits almost never happen.

From a credit perspective, house hacking also helps you build strong cash flow, which can make it easier to secure financing for future deals.Additionally, if you're targeting high-appreciation markets, you could also look into cash-out refinancing down the line to pull equity and fund additional investments.

I hope you are asking two separate unrelated questions, because there's no point in doing cost segregation for properties held inside your self-directed solo 401k, save for some very rare exceptions.Some of the Bigger Pockets experts who operate reputable costs segregation companies are @Bernard Reisz, @Yonah Weiss and @Julio GonzalezSome of the Bigger Pockets experts who offer Solo 401k administrator services are @Dmitriy Fomichenko, again @Bernard Reisz and @Brian EastmanReach out to them and see if they can help.

Living and working overseas can present unique challenges when it comes to securing financing, but there are definitely loan options designed for situations like yours.

I dont allow tenants to move in without first month rent and security deposit paid by cashier check .

my RE income from my rentals is semi-passive of course... so less active than W2 but more active than dividends or social security.

or have you found various creative solutions to secure favorable terms?

No, it was secured but apparently he used the same collateral for every loan he took out. 

Even though they are the expert, you still need to ensure they fit you well.

Add outdoor security cameras (just let guests know they’re there) and maybe some motion-sensor lights for extra safety.