Translation: your client cheated the IRS and the states.

My day job is being a financial professional, so I have good experience with underwriting and sales that I believe can be translated to real estate.

If I read that right it seems like you can only utilize any savings if you have a loss but I might be missing something in translation here.

A local real estate lawyer or translator can ensure you fully understand the terms and conditions of the purchase.Other Costs to Consider- Closing Costs: In addition to your down payment, expect to pay an additional 8-12% of the property price for:- Notary Fees: Around 1-2% of the purchase price.- Property Transfer Tax (Grunderwerbsteuer): 3.5-6.5%, depending on the region- Land Registration Fees: Approximately 0.5-1.5%.- Realtor Fees: As mentioned, these range from 3-7% of the purchase price, plus VAT.Benefits for Service Members- Equity Building: Owning property builds equity over time, providing long-term financial security.- Strong Rental Potential: If reassigned, you can rent the property out in Germany high-demand rental market.- Tax Advantages: Germany offers tax deductions for property owners, which can help offset some costs.Key TakeawaysService members have a unique opportunity to buy property in Germany with minimal upfront costs.

I found out pretty quick my skills from years of running LTR didn't translate to STR and had to learn a whole new set of skills (some of which I already had from a career working with the public).  

as a "donation" (translating to the benefit of taking a deduction for 2025).

This translates to high rental demand and potential for appreciation.Diverse Opportunities: From bustling metropolises like Miami and Orlando to charming beach towns and vacation destinations, Florida caters to a wide range of investment strategies.

It usually means there are problems to be solved for the seller which will translate to opportunities for you.Keep it simple on your first 2 deals to minimize your risk.All the best.

Not sure if that is still legal or even translates in today's world of everything online but seemed like a good screening tool to me at the time. 

You lose because there are many other suckers out there falling for the same line and sharing the same low-quality leads that don't translate into sales.Do the math.