Reserves are key as  @Theresa Harris has pointed out.   

Detroit is very block-by-block, so knowing the dynamics in the area you’re targeting is key.2.

The key there is "for the right price."

If the turnkey company gives us an idea what the property is worth, our verification doesn't go back to the turn-key to question about the value, no we instead turn to third party i.e. independent re searches that verify the value - and same with all other information given to us by turnkey companies, realtors, sellers or whomever your are interreacting with."

I don’t mind having skin in the game either, but I know using private money is key to scaling one day and would like to get some experience with it now, even if it doesn’t fund a majority of the deal. 

There are lots of vetting processes and details that need to be addressed before handing over the keys. too late now. 

Confidence is key!   

It seems you would be using it as a 20% down payment on a turn key ish property.

Over the last year, we noticed a few key trends worth highlighting:Market Recovery Signs:Loan volumes reached $539 billion in 2024, up 26% year-over-year.

.- Focus on Key Military & Expat Cities: Target locations like Ramstein, Wiesbaden, Rota, Naples, Seoul, or Yokosuka, where thousands of U.S. personnel need housing.- Offer Fractional Ownership or Managed Rentals: Investors own a share of multiple properties while you handle property management.- Leverage Serviced Housing & Co-Living Models: High-end, furnished rentals for military professionals, digital nomads, and traveling contractors.Example Strategy- Raise $1M from 10-20 investors (military/gov personnel) to buy 3-5 properties in Germany or Spain.- Use seller financing & local bank loans to maximize purchasing power.- Rent properties to military families, U.S. contractors, or co-living tenants for stable cash flow.- Utilize local tax incentives and investment visas to increase ROI.Why This Could Be a Billion-Dollar Play- Solves a real problem for U.S. military/gov professionals looking to invest overseas.- Provides stable, built-in demand (military personnel have guaranteed salaries & housing stipends).- Creates an alternative wealth-building strategy for a niche group of investors.- More scalable than traditional rentals.