@Josh OatenThat's a great point, currency value definitely plays a major role if doing this.

Most of the fears that paralyze "newbies" fall into two categories:Low-probability yet scary-sounding events - For example, "What if the US Dollar collapses as a currency and we have to resort to trading with sea-shells?"

Interest on escrow funds held more than two yearsCurrentness(a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, all funds over one hundred dollars ($100) deposited with a lessor to secure the execution of a rental agreement on residential property in accordance with section 511.11 and pursuant to any lease newly executed or reexecuted after the effective date of this act shall be deposited in an escrow account of an institution regulated by the Federal Reserve Board, the Federal Home Loan Bank Board, Comptroller of the Currency, or the Pennsylvania Department of Banking.

We're also seeing more lenders starting to accept crypto, allowing borrowers to use crypto currency to cover down payments and closing costs.  

Anyway, any thoughts or tips on lenders, process, contacts, etc. in Spain would certainly be extremely appreciated :)Also another exposure to think about I suppose is currency.

@Mohit Madaan  - "guaranteed", "no risk" and investments do not mix well :)Add foreign currency fluctuations and it will be hard to get 9% in my opinion.

Another of my favorite charts shows currency in circulation (put out by the Federal Reserve itself).

FDR signed Executive Order 6102 which required Americans to deliver their gold to the government in exchange for currency, and then the government subsequently inflated that currency. 

It is by far, the cheapest way to transfer money from one currency to another.

Depending upon whether they are a bank or a trust company, custodians are heavily regulated by the IRS, DOL, and possibly the FDIC, State Banking Commissioner, and the Comptroller of the Currency.